In South Korea, the number of new cases of new coronavirus infection per day exceeded 100,000 for the first time.
The infection is spreading rapidly due to the influence of the mutant virus Omicron strain.
According to the Korean health authorities, the number of newly infected people with the new coronavirus confirmed on the 17th was 109,831, exceeding 100,000 for the first time.
Due to the rapid expansion of the mutant virus Omicron strain, the number of new infections has increased about 6 times in half a month from more than 18,000 on the 1st of this month.
South Korea's Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom said at a countermeasures meeting on the morning of the 18th, "We have minimized the expansion of Omicron strains by the third inoculation of the new coronavirus vaccine, but we have to experience it once like other countries. It's a terrible stage. "
He then mentioned the expert's view that the infection will peak from the end of this month to the middle of next month.
On the other hand, the Korean government has been opening until 9 pm, considering that there is growing dissatisfaction with the short-time restaurant business that has been ongoing since December last year, saying that the industry is having a serious impact on management. I decided to extend it by one hour until 10 pm.
Prime Minister Kim asked for understanding of the reason for the extension, saying, "We have decided that the minimum mitigation is necessary while the current infection control and medical system can handle it in consideration of the severe economy."