New COVID-19 cases below 10,000 for 2 straight weeks amid slowing omicron

SEOUL, June 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases stayed below 10,000 for the 14th straight day on 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.

The number of critically ill patients came to 58, down from Wednesday's 64, the KDCA said.

Despite the downtrend, health authorities remain cautious that relaxed virus curbs could prompt another virus resurgence.

The government predicts the pace of the coronavirus spread slowing will soon reach its limit and yet another virus wave could break out around the summer holiday season.

Health authorities decided to maintain the seven-day self-isolation mandate for COVID-19 patients until July 17, a second extension after putting off the plan once in late May.

South Korea removed most social distancing restrictions, except the indoor mask mandate, in mid-April, a decision to restore pre-pandemic normalcy.

Health officials say weekly deaths have to stay under 100 and the fatality rate needs to fall below 0.1 percent for the isolation rule to be lifted.

elly@yna.co.kr
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