jpnn.com, KOREA SELATAN - South Korean President Moon Jae-in apologized for his government's failure to contain the spread of Covid-19.
In a statement through the presidential spokesman, Moon also apologized for the government's failure to maintain adequate hospital beds during the previous easing of restrictions.
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Meanwhile, the South Korean government on Thursday said it would tighten social restrictions again as the numbers of new cases and hospitalized Covid-19 patients rise.
The decision was taken a month and a half after Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed.
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The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 7,622 new cases on Wednesday (15/12), a day after recording a daily record of 7,850 cases.
The number of severe patients reached a new record 989 cases. About 87 percent of intensive care rooms are filled with patients in the Seoul metropolitan area and about 81 percent across the country.
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The daily number of cases broke the 7,000 mark for the first time last week, just days after crossing the 5,000 mark.
KDCA director Jeong Eun-kyeong said the daily figure could hit 10,000 this month if there were no changes in the handling of Covid-19.
South Korea's total infections have so far reached 544,117 cases, 148 of which are suspected to be due to the Omicron variant. The number of deaths due to the pandemic was 4,518.
Based on the latest developments, the restrictions will again be imposed in South Korea from Saturday (18/12) to January 2.
Meeting participants are limited to no more than four people who have been fully vaccinated.
Restaurants, cafes, and bars should close by 9 p.m. while cinemas and internet cafes by 10 p.m., officials said.
People who are not vaccinated can only eat outside alone or buy food to eat at home. (ant/dil/mcr20/jpnn)
This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Gagal Bendung COVID-19, Presiden Memohon Maaf kepada Rakyat