(LEAD) S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases under 30,000 for 2nd day amid eased virus curbs
(ATTN: UPDATES with details in last 6 paras; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases stayed below 30,000 for the second straight day Sunday in the latest sign that the country's virus cases are on a downward trend amid eased virus curbs.
The country added 25,434 new virus infections, including 26 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 17,782,061, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The country added 48 COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 23,709, with the fatality rate at 0.13 percent. The number of critically ill patients fell to 338 from 341 a day earlier, the KDCA said.
Last month, health authorities eased social distancing guidelines as new infections showed signs of a slowdown after peaking at 621,168 on March 17.
The country also eased the outdoor mask mandate on May 2, except for large gatherings of 50 or more, as it is moving toward a return to normalcy. The indoor mask mandate remains in effect.
On Friday, South Korea announced a plan to ease requirements to enter the country in a move that could boost convenience for inbound travelers.
Starting May 23, the government will recognize negative rapid antigen test results for travelers boarding flights to South Korea, on top of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results currently being accepted.
Still, rapid antigen tests must be carried out by medical professionals 24 hours before arrival in South Korea.
Beginning June 1, international arrivals will be required to undergo a PCR test within three days of their entry into South Korea. Currently, the mandatory test is required on the day of arrival.
Of the locally transmitted cases, Seoul accounted for 4,025, with its surrounding Gyeonggi Province taking up 5,799 cases. There were also 1,150 additional patients from Incheon, west of the capital city.
As of midnight Saturday, a total of 33.2 million people had received their first booster shots, representing 64.7 percent of the population, and 3.47 million people, or 6.8 percent, had gotten their second booster shots, the KDCA added.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Artist Lee Bae captures ethereal Korean aesthetics at Venice Biennale
-
Ateez member Yunho throws first pitch at MLB match between Dodgers, Mets
-
Gov't likely to accept university chiefs' request to lower med school enrollment quota
-
S. Korea supports resolution backing U.N. membership of Palestine
-
Artist Lee Bae captures ethereal Korean aesthetics at Venice Biennale
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Gov't likely to accept university chiefs' request to lower med school enrollment quota
-
Experts see possibility of N.K. conducting nuclear test before U.S. presidential vote
-
Details of meeting between Yoon, opposition leader undecided: presidential office
-
U.S. will take steps for three-way engagement on nuclear deterrence with S. Korea, Japan: Campbell
-
(LEAD) Hybe to file complaint against sublabel executives over internal conflict
-
S. Korea reports highest suicide rate, ultra fine dust level among OECD nations: data
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis
-
U.S. sent ATACMS missiles to Ukraine following Russia's use of N.K. missiles: White House