COVID-19 DEATH RECORD- KOREA REPORT

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South Korean President Moon Jae-in has agreed a deal for vaccines from Moderna amid criticism that the government is moving too slowly [Yonhap via EPA]

South Korea on Tuesday announced a record 40 deaths from COVID-19, as daily coronavirus cases rose to more than 1,000 again and the government moved to procure more vaccines.


The daily death toll the highest since the country reported its first case of coronavirus in late January comes amid a stubborn third wave of infections that have forced the authorities to tighten social-distancing measures, amid what the Yonhap news agency described as a “looming medical system crisis”.


The country added 1,046 more cases, including 1,030 local infections, raising the total caseload to 58,725, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said.


Daily cases have been hovering around the 1,000 mark since mid-November and nearly 80 percent of Tuesday’s cases were reported in Seoul and its surrounding areas. The total death toll from COVID-19 in South Korea stands at 859.


On Sunday, the KDCA extended current social-distancing measures in Seoul and the surrounding area until January 3. A decision on whether to move to the highest level of restrictions will be made in the next few days.


The government has been reluctant to impose stricter measures because of the effect on small business and has instead adopted a more targeted approach.


Gatherings of more than four people have been banned in greater Seoul since last Wednesday and in the rest of the country since last Thursday. Ski resorts and tourist attractions have also been closed to avoid large crowds during the year-end holidays.


THE continued growth in cases has increased concerns about a shortage of hospital beds and treatment for the most seriously ill, prompting health authorities to issue a rare order to private hospitals to secure more intensive-care beds for COVID-19 patients.


The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients stood at 330 on Tuesday, 35 more than the previous day, according to the KDCA.

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