SEOUL, Oct. 11 (BNA): New COVID-19 cases in South Korea rebounded to more than 15,000 after the extended weekend, although daily infections were on a downward trend.
The country reported 15,476 new COVID-19 infections, including 95 from abroad, bringing the total number of cases to 24,995,246, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Yonhap reported.
On Monday, the number of daily cases fell below 10,000 for the first time in 14 weeks at 8,981 amid waning virus infections and fewer tests over the extended weekend that included Hangeul Day, a day that celebrates the creation of the Korean alphabet.
South Korea has seen a gradual downward trend in new infections after peaking at more than 180,000 cases in a single day in mid-August.
The country added 10 deaths from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 28,708. The number of seriously ill patients was 313, compared to 311 the day before.
In response to dwindling infections, health authorities have relaxed anti-virus restrictions, including lifting all outdoor mask mandates and COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing requirements for incoming travelers.
Authorities have warned of a possible outbreak of the COVID-19 “epidemic” and seasonal flu this winter.
SM