(LEAD) Less than 100,000 new viral cases on day 3 of the decline of the Omicron wave

(ATTN: ADDS latest number in the 6th paragraph)

Seoul, April 23 (Yonhap News Agency)-Daily aggregates of new coronavirus cases in South Korea remained below 100,000 on Saturday for three consecutive days due to the gradual subsidence of the Omicron wave.

South Korea has added 75,449 new COVID-19 infections, including 29 from abroad, bringing the total number of cases to 16,830,469, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.

The new tally is down 5,609 cases from the previous day and 32,467 cases from a week ago. Mark the lowest number of Saturdays since February 12th.

The Omicron wave has been steadily declining after peaking the country’s daily infections in 621,178 cases on March 17.

The death toll from COVID-19 was 22,024, an increase of 151 from the previous day. The case fatality rate was 0.13 percent. The number of severely ill patients decreased by 95 from the previous day to 738.

South Korea reported 55,015 cases as of 6 pm on Saturday, a decrease of 5,467 cases from the same period the day before. Daily cases are counted until midnight and announced the next morning.

Of the infectious diseases transmitted locally, Seoul reported 12,352 cases, and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province added 18,441 cases. Cities in the south of Daegu have confirmed 3,966 cases.

As of midnight Friday, 44.53 million (86.8% of the 52 million population) had been fully vaccinated and 33.06 million (64.4%) had their first COVID-19 booster shot, KDCA said. rice field.