A health worker collects a swab sample for COVID-19 at screening center near Seoul Station. (Photo: Yonhap)
More than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours, South Korean health authorities announced Monday, with the spread of the virus showing little signs of slowing, while fears mount over the new Omicron variant.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 5,817 new infections, including over 4,000 from the greater Seoul area and 34 imported from abroad.
Two dozen more Omicron cases were detected, bringing the total to 114 since the first such cases were confirmed on December 1.
The country recorded 40 more COVID-related fatalities, pushing the death toll up to 4,293.
Meanwhile, the number of critically ill coronavirus patients in ICUs stood at 876, down just slightly from the all-time high of 894 reported Sunday.
In an effort to contain the worst virus surge yet, the government is enforcing a vaccine pass system and reduced caps on private gatherings, while encouraging all eligible teenagers and adults to get their COVID vaccine shots as soon as possible.
So far, 81 percent of people in South Korea have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
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