New daily Covid-19 infections drop to a three-month low

The number of new daily Covid-19 cases dropped below 20,000 for the first time in more than three months on Monday.

A Covid-19 testing center outside Seoul Station, central Seoul, is quiet on Monday as the number of new infections drops. [YONHAP]

The number of new daily Covid-19 cases dropped below 20,000 for the first time in more than three months on Monday.

Korea reported 13,296 new infections on Monday, according to Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) data.

This is the first time in 104 days the daily tally fell below 20,000, before the highly transmissible Omicron variant dominated the country. Korea's Omicron wave peaked in mid-March and has been subsiding since then.

Monday's figure was down 35.4 percent from Monday a week earlier, and 33.7 percent from the Monday two weeks earlier.

Covid-19 patients in critical condition rose by seven from the previous day to 345 in total. The number of critical cases has remained over 300 for seven days in a row.

Thirty-five more people died of the virus, raising the death toll to 34,744.

On April 25, the infectious disease classification for Covid-19 was downgraded to Class 2, but the government allowed for a four-week transition period before implementing changes in order to reduce confusion at medical sites. The transition period is scheduled to end on Sunday.

The exact timing is likely to be made at Friday's virus meeting, health authorities said Monday, after they look at the country's virus trend and medical capacity and collect opinions from local governments and experts.

Once the date is confirmed, the 7-day quarantine obligation for those infected with Covid-19 will become "recommended." People with Covid-19 will be able to continue their everyday lives and go to their nearest hospital or clinic to get treated instead of having to visit designated hospitals.

With patients no longer having to isolate themselves, the government's coverage of medical expenses will also end, and patients will have to pay for treatment.

The government has noted that the current medical system is capable of handling the changes, while some are voicing caution of a possible resurgence of the virus wave.

Korea's Covid-19 response is further challenged by the lack of a prime minister and an appointment for a health minister.

Starting Monday, more patients became eligible to receive Covid-19 oral treatments, and the prescription procedures have been simplified.

Pfizer's Covid-19 Paxlovid oral treatment became available to patients 12 and older with underlying medical conditions. Merck's molnupiravir pill, sold as Lagevrio, is available to people 18 or older with underlying diseases.

This includes patients with cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and chronic lung disease.

Patients also became eligible to receive prescriptions for oral Covid-19 pills even with a positive test result conducted by a rapid antigen test carried out by a medical professional.

Regarding pandemic support to North Korea, health authorities on Monday said there will not be much difficulty in sending vaccines as the country has a surplus, yet added that Covid-19 treatments should be prioritized for domestic use.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]