Tag: COVID-19

The numbers may be rising above 10,000 but it is no where near the peak of 620,000 cases a day Korea had back in March:

 South Korea’s new coronavirus cases stayed above 10,000 for the second consecutive day Sunday as the daily cases seemed to be rising again after months of subsiding.

The country added 10,059 COVID-19 infections, including 191 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 18,389,611, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. 

The country reported eight COVID-19 deaths, raising the death toll to 24,570. The fatality rate stood at 0.13 percent.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

You can always count on the Kim regime to making something up to justify provocations on their part. Here is the most absurd justification they have given yet:

North Korea suggested Friday its COVID-19 outbreak began in people who had contact with balloons flown from South Korea — a highly questionable claim that appeared to be an attempt to hold its rival responsible amid increasing tensions over its nuclear program.

Activists for years have flown balloons across the border to distribute hundreds of thousands of propaganda leaflets critical of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and North Korea has often expressed fury at the activists and at South Korea’s leadership for not stopping them.

Associated Press

You can read more at the link, but there is a domestic aspect to this as well that the Kim regime wants North Koreans to think the propaganda balloons, U.S. dollars, smuggled K-drama DVDs, etc. are all infected with COVID-19 to keep their citizens away from them.

Just in case if any of you even care about COVID case numbers any more, here is the latest statistics from South Korea:

South Korea’s new coronavirus cases stayed below 10,000 for the 14th straight day Thursday amid a steady omicron downtrend, though the country remains vigilant against any potential virus resurgence.

The country reported 7,497 new COVID-19 infections, including 92 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 18,305,738, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. 

The daily tally has stayed below 10,000 since June 10. The numbers have declined at a steady pace after hitting more than 620,000 in one day in March at the height of the omicron spread.

The KDCA reported 14 additional deaths from COVID-19, raising the death toll to 24,488. The fatality rate stood at 0.13 percent.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but the fatality rate appears to have leveled off since it is the same as a month ago. It would be interesting though to know whether the fatalities were mostly people with pre-existing medical conditions which never seems to get put out.

The isolation requirements may have been lifted, COVID testing before and after arrival is still required:

On Wednesday, the government lifted the mandatory seven-day self-isolation period for all international arrivals, regardless of their nationalities or vaccination status.

Still, international arrivals are required to take a PCR virus test within three days of their entry into South Korea. They also must submit a negative COVID-19 result — by taking either a PCR test or supervised rapid antigen test — before boarding flights to South Korea.

South Korea increased the number of weekly flights on international routes to 732 in June from 532 in May as it began fully normalizing the operation of Incheon International Airport amid growing air travel demand.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

The COVID numbers continue to improve in South Korea despite the dropping of most social distancing protocols:

South Korea’s new coronavirus cases fell below 10,000 on Sunday due to fewer tests the previous day as the country works to return to pre-pandemic normalcy.

The country added 9,835 COVID-19 infections, including 48 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 18,163,686, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said.

The daily caseload is down from 12,048 on Saturday.

Daily infections have shown a downward trend after posting an all-time high of over 620,000 in mid-March.

Korea Herald

You can read more at the link.

COVID conditions continue to improve for U.S. troops in South Korea:

U.S. Forces Korea lowered the health protection condition for its troops on Thursday as COVID-19 infection rates continue to decline across South Korea. (……..) 

No changes were made to USFK’s mask policy. The command did away with its policy on April 25 but allowed garrison commanders the option to require masks in high-traffic areas on their installations. The Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital at Camp Humphreys, for example, requires visitors to wear masks. 

USFK personnel are still required to adhere to local social distancing directives outside of military bases. South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare rescinded its outdoor mask mandate in May but still requires them indoors. People in groups of 50 or more, such as a sporting event, are also required to wear masks.

Stars & Stripes

You can read more at the link.

If anyone even cares at this point, South Korea’s daily COVID numbers have steeply declined:

South Korea’s new COVID-19 cases fell to below 16,000 Wednesday amid a slowing virus trend, as authorities take steps for a return to pre-pandemic normalcy. 

The country added 15,797 COVID-19 infections, including 44 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 18,119,415, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. 

The daily cases have marked a steady decline since the all-time daily high of more than 620,000 in mid-March. The infection numbers have fallen to five digits or under since April 21. 

The death toll came to 24,197, up 21 from Tuesday, with the fatality rate at 0.13 percent.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.