<Anchor> The
number of new corona19 confirmed yesterday (22nd) fell below 10,000 for the first time in four months to 9,000.
From today, the rapid antigen test results for experts are also recognized when entering the country from abroad.
Reporter Park Soo-jin reported.
<Reporter>
There were 9,975 new confirmed cases of Corona 19 yesterday.
It is the first time in four months that the number of daily confirmed cases has fallen below 10,000 since 8,570 on January 25.
Although the decrease in the number of weekend tests was also affected, the quarantine authorities said they were positively seeing a stable decline.
The number of patients with severe severe cases was 225, recording 200 for the fifth day.
The death toll was 22, a decrease of 32 from the previous day.
Although the decline continues, the degree is slowing, and as new mutations are discovered one after another, the government has decided to extend the quarantine duty for confirmed cases by four more weeks from today.
[Kim Heon-joo / Deputy Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Even under the premise of maintaining the quarantine obligation, there is a possibility that the epidemic will start again this summer and reach a peak around September or October depending on the effect of immunity reduction.]
From today, when entering Korea from abroad Professional rapid antigen test results are also accepted.
Until now, foreign entrants had to submit a PCR negative confirmation issued within 48 hours prior to entry.
In addition, contact visits between nursing hospitals and facilities are allowed without a deadline for the time being from today.
Those who have not been vaccinated due to an adverse reaction, etc., can visit if they have a doctor's opinion.
Yesterday, about 230 people received the 4th dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the vaccination rate compared to the entire nation was 7.4%, and the vaccination rate for those over 60 years old was 26.8%.