South Korea’s Covid‑19 Rollercoaster Hits 100k Daily Highs
Tomorrow evening (Feb 18) the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that daily new Covid‑19 cases surged past 100,000 for the first time. Even though the numbers are steaming, death rates remain surprisingly tame thanks to an intact vaccine rollout.
What the Bites Are, and Bites Back
- Curfew tweaks: Businesses can now open from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Other rules standing firm:
- Private gatherings capped at six people
- International arrivals must stay in quarantine for seven days
- Mask mandates are still in effect in public places
- Vaccine passes required for a growing list of venues
- All measures remain until at least March 13, post the presidential runoff on March 9.
The “Track, Trace, Quarantine” Sisquish
Because the case numbers are hopping, South Korea has eased its formidable tracking, tracing and quarantining strategy that previously kept waves in check. Now the approach is more relaxed:
- People showing mild or no symptoms can stay at home instead of heading to hospitals.
- Only those in priority groups still get free PCR tests right away.
- Everyone else usually starts with a rapid antigen test for a quicker first diagnosis.
Experts warn that daily cases may still double or triple—but the government keeps telling the public that serious cases are manageable and deaths are relatively low.
Vaccination: A North‑Shooting Boost
58% of the 52 million residents have received a booster. In total, 44+ million folks—equivalent to roughly 86% of the population—are fully vaccinated.
Key Stats as of Midnight Thursday
- New cases: 109,831
- Grand total: 1,755,809
- Additional deaths: 45, bringing the cumulative count to 7,283
Stay tuned for further updates as South Korea navigates this turning point. The nation’s resilience—and its tendency to tweak policies just enough to keep everyone safe—remains a compelling story in the fight against Covid‑19.