<Anchor> The
number of new coronavirus cases is slowing to 120,000, but the number of severe cases and deaths is increasing.
From today (20th), in the metropolitan area, a weekend hospital for patients with severe coronavirus will be operated.
Reporter Hyung-woo Hyung.
<Reporter> The
number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 was 129,411, down by 9,400 from the previous day.
At a similar level to the same day of the week last week, the increase has slowed somewhat after recording 180,000 a day earlier this week.
The number of severe cases and deaths, which is reflected 1-2 weeks late in the number of confirmed cases, is increasing.
The death toll stood at 84, an increase of one from the previous day, the highest in 113 days.
The number of patients with severe cases increased by 19 to 511.
The utilization rate of beds with severe COVID-19 is 44.7%, and those with semi-severe cases are 59.4%.
From today, 'Weekend Hospital' will be operated in the metropolitan area.
Six beds are operated in three hospitals so that emergency patients with severe COVID-19, such as mothers, infants, and patients with underlying medical conditions, can quickly be assigned a bed even on weekends.
Because the hospital on duty supports the allocation of severe beds to emergency patients in consultation with the 119 ambulance, general patients cannot visit the hospital directly.
An improved vaccine to prevent Omicron mutation is under review in Korea, and the actual introduction period is expected around October.
An improved vaccine targeting BA.5, which has become the dominant species, will also be introduced in the future.
[Im-gi/Corona 19 Immunization Management Team Leader: Pfizer and Moderna are also developing a BA.5-based vaccine, and we will prepare and guide our vaccination plan according to the progress.] When an
improved vaccine is introduced, high-risk groups Inoculation is expected to be prioritized around the