43,759 New Daily Cases of COVID-19, Exceeding 40,000 for the First Time in 34 Days

On the morning of October 21, citizens head over to get tested at a screening clinic set up at the Songpa Public Health Center in Seoul. Yonhap News

The Central Disease Control Headquarters at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that as of midnight October 25, authorities have confirmed 43,759 new cases of COVID-19 from the previous day. This was 10,536 more than a week ago (Oct. 18, 33,223 cases), and it was also the first time in 34 days that the number of new daily cases surpassed 40,000 since September 21 (41,264 cases). Currently, 225 patients receiving in-patient treatment are in critical condition, and authorities confirmed seventeen more deaths.

Among the newly confirmed cases, 43,688 cases were transmitted in the local community, while 71 entered from overseas. Since authorities confirmed the first case of Covid in January 2020, they have so far confirmed a total of 25,355,350 cases in the nation.

The number of patients in critical condition was 225, one down from the previous day. Among the critical patients, 192 (85.3%) were aged 60 and older, classified as a high-risk group. Seventeen deaths were confirmed and among them fifteen (88.2%) were from this group. The total death count recorded 29,017 and the virus had a fatality rate of 0.11%. At present, 152,315 people are receiving treatment at home.

Authorities also confirmed that 21.2% of hospital beds set aside for Covid patients with severe symptoms were occupied, and of the 1,572 beds secured, 1,238 were available. Beds for the treatment of patients with moderate symptoms were occupied at a rate of 30.6%, and 1,694 of the 2,441 beds were available. General beds for the treatment of patients with mild symptoms were 15.0% occupied, and 1,621 of the 1,907 beds were available.