The surge of the Omicron virus was behind Korea’s record-high monthly death figure in March, Statistics Korea said Wednesday.

The number of deaths in March was 44,487, an increase of 67.6 percent (17,937) from a year earlier, the highest figure since the government started compiling monthly deaths in 1983.

The statistic agency also noted that it was the first time the death rate increase exceeded 60 percent compared to the previous year. In addition, the number of deaths per 1,000 people also hit a record high since the government started recording such figures, with 10.2.

"Population aging has been cited as the reason for the increase in the number of deaths recently, but the rate of increase has never been this high," a government statistician said. "March was the month when the Omicron wave reached its peak, and we believe that Covid-19 had affected, directly and indirectly, the number of deaths."

On the quarantine front, health officials said they had canceled the designation of more than 20,000 Covid-19 beds since last month, reflecting the decline in new virus cases.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the government canceled the designation of 20,656 beds --1,653 for severe patients and 19,003 for moderately ill patients -- as Covid-19 designated beds from April 18 to Tuesday.

Considering that there were about 29,000 Covid-19 beds in mid-April, the authorities returned about 70 percent to regular sickbeds in five weeks.

"The government is reshuffling infrastructure, including hospital beds, to establish a sustainable infectious disease response system," said Park Hyang, head of the overall quarantine affairs at Central Disaster Management Headquarters. "As part of such efforts, the government is readjusting beds in stages, considering the trend of declining spread and transition to the ordinary healthcare system."

In the same vein, the government has increased medical institutions for face-to-face treatment and secured isolated beds for inpatients since last week.

A total of 6,439 hospitals and clinics provide face-to-face treatment for confirmed patients, and the government plans to further expand face-to-face treatment through consultation with medical groups by providing financial support.

However, officials have decided to maintain some beds for moderately ill patients for the rapid hospitalization and treatment of high-risk confirmed patients.

"If a new pandemic wave comes, we predict that the number of confirmed cases per day will be 100,000 to 200,000," Park said. "Considering the fatality rate of the Omicron variant, we believe that Korea will handle about 150,000 to 200,000 people per day by using remaining beds and emergency beds until the end of this year."

On Wednesday, the KDCA confirmed 23,956 new virus cases, raising the cumulative caseload to 18,017,923.

The death toll came to 24,029, up 23 from the previous day, with a fatality rate of 0.13 percent. Critically ill patients also increased from 232 to 237.

Amid decreasing COVID-19 cases, South Korea rolled back most of its virus restrictions last month, except for the seven-day self-isolation for COVID-19 patients. The mandate remains in effect until June 20.

According to the agency, about 44.57 million people have been fully vaccinated, or 86.9 percent of the 52-million population. In addition, about 33.27 million people had received their first booster shots, representing 64.8 percent, and 3.89 million people had their second booster shots.

This week, Korea started to allow international travelers to submit supervised rapid antigen test results, issued 24 hours before their departure date, alongside PCR test results.

Amid decreasing Covid-19 cases, the government rolled back most of its virus restrictions last month, except for the seven-day self-isolation for confirmed patients. The mandate remains in effect until June 20.