New infections of COVID for 29 days should be watched closely = Korea

New COVID-19 virus infections fell for the first time in 29 days compared to the same day last week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took a cautious stance, saying, "We need to see the overall trend."

According to the Central Epidemic Prevention Headquarters on November 18th (midnight on the same day), 49,418 people were newly infected with the COVID-19 virus. This is 5,101 fewer than on the 11th (54,519). It was the first time in 29 days since October 20 that the number of new infections decreased compared to the same day of the previous week.

Looking at the recent number of new infections, it recorded 72,883 on the 15th. 66,587 on the 16th, 55,437 on the 17th, and 49,418 on the 18th, showing a downward trend.

The CDC is cautious. At a regular press conference on the 18th, Park Hyang, chief of the epidemic control team at the Central Accident Control Headquarters, said, "Compared to the 'doubling' (a phenomenon in which the number of infected people doubles each week), where the number of patients (in the epidemic) surged in the summer, the number of infected people is increasing every week. The number is increasing from 10% to 15%. We are closely monitoring the situation. We would like to refrain from commenting on the fact that the number of new infections today is slightly lower than last week. I think it's necessary to see the overall trend, so after checking, I'll give you an answer if necessary."

On the other hand, the number of infected people continues to increase, and the bed occupancy rate is rising rapidly. The day before, according to the Central Epidemic Prevention Headquarters, the nationwide occupancy rate of ICUs had increased for four consecutive weeks, and the bed occupancy rate for critically ill patients was approaching 50%. The bed occupancy rate for critically ill patients in the Tokyo metropolitan area jumped from 37.9% last week to 50.1%. It is considered virtually saturated if the bed occupancy rate exceeds 80%.

Team leader Park Hyang said, "Currently, the hospital bed occupancy rate for seriously injured patients is close to 50%, so we are discussing hospital beds. We are actively working to secure additional hospital beds from the end of November and the currently secured hospital beds." We are working on," he said.

In addition, the winter vaccination rate (ratio of subjects) was 5.4%. Of these, 16.0% were over 60 years old, and only 0.8% were between 18 and 59 years old. Team leader Park said, "Since November 14, we have started administering the bivalent vaccine to people aged 18 and over. In order to spend this winter safely, it is necessary for people to take an interest in winter vaccinations and get vaccinated."