Categories: News

South Korea expands booster shots as COVID-19 cases creep up

The 40,226 new cases reported Wednesday marked the country's highest daily jump in more than two months, although hospitalizations and deaths remain stable.

Health officials in South Korea are expanding booster shots to adults 50 and over as COVID-19 cases creep up again across the country.

The 40,226 new cases reported Wednesday marked the country’s highest daily jump in more than two months, although hospitalizations and deaths remain stable.

Baek Gyeongran, South Korea’s top infectious disease expert, attributed the rising case counts to people’s waning immunities following vaccinations and prior infections and a major removal of social distancing measures since April as the nation wiggled out of an omicron surge. Health workers are also witnessing a “rapid spread” of BA.5, which is seen as the most transmissible variant of omicron yet, Baek said.

South Korea had previously given second booster shots to people who are 60 or older and those with compromised immune systems. Officials are now expanding the eligibility of those shots to people who are 50 or older and all adults with pre-existing medical conditions. Weeklong quarantines will be maintained for people who test positive.

Officials say the country may see daily case counts of 200,000 by mid-August or September if infections continue to grow. However, they don’t have immediate plans to meaningfully elevate social distancing restrictions, which have been effectively stripped down to an indoor mask mandate over the past months.

Baek, the commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said the government will focus on expanding booster shots and securing larger supplies of antiviral pills to suppress hospitalizations and deaths. She said a return to stringent social distancing will be considered as a last resort, considering the weak economy, but pleaded for people to cancel unnecessary meetings and travel. “The need to reduce the social and economic damage from social distancing is greater than ever, and we are also considering the economic situation, including inflation and high-interest rates,” Baek said. “We also know that people are in a state of accumulated fatigue following lengthy periods of high-level distancing.”

Agency Desk

Recent Posts

TCA Florida Payment Dates for July 2025: When Will Your Benefits Arrive?

Florida’s TCA payments for July 2025 will be sent from July 1 to 28, based…

4 hours ago

Senate Bill Targets Student Loans: Here’s How Borrowers Will Be Affected

A new Senate bill backed by Trump will change how student loans are repaid. It…

4 hours ago

TANF July 2025: When Will You Get Your Cash Assistance?

TANF payments for July 2025 depend on the state you live in. Each state has…

1 day ago

SNAP Florida Payment Schedule: Food Stamp Deposit Dates for July 2025

Florida SNAP benefits for July 2025 will be sent between July 1 and 28. The…

1 day ago

July 2025 SSI Payment Schedule: Here’s When to Expect Your Check

SSI recipients will get their July 2025 payment on July 1, just before the July…

2 days ago

VA Benefits July 2025: When Will Veterans Get Their Monthly Payment?

Veterans receiving VA disability or compensation benefits can expect their July 2025 payments at the…

2 days ago