Korea added 77,604 new Covid-19 infections, including 81 cases from abroad, bringing the total caseload to 27,408,854, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The figure is the highest since Sept. 14, when the country reported 93,949 cases.
The nation also reported 24 more Covid-19 deaths, raising the death toll to 30,793. The fatality rate stood at 0.11 percent. The number of critically ill patients came to 443, down 15 from the previous day, the KDCA said.
To stem the spread of the virus, the government is actively encouraging winter booster vaccination.
However, the vaccination rate still remains low, with only 8.5 percent, or 3.42 million people, receiving the winter booster shot as of midnight Monday. The vaccination rate for the elderly over 60 years old was 22.5 percent, and the vaccination rate for workers at vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and nursing facilities was 31.1 percent.
"Vaccination is more important than ever, and pan-governmental efforts must be made to improve vaccination of the health vulnerable, who are at high risk of severe illness and death," said Jung Ki-suck, head of the National Advisory Committee on Infectious Disease Crisis Response.
Jung also stressed that a research and development system to respond to infectious diseases needs to be established.
"For vaccines and treatments, which are the most important means of response to infectious disease crises, the public and private sectors must cooperate in selecting and nurturing core technologies, and expanding clinical research and related infrastructure," Jung said.
In addition, Jung asked for a system to evaluate the social and economic impact of infectious disease crises and quarantine policies, and the development of socio-economic indicators using big data and promote related research.
Meanwhile, in a radio interview with MBC radio, Jung said that it may be possible to lift the mask duty at the end of January next year, given the current Covid-19 fatality rate and other related indicators.
However, concerning the successive demands of local governments, such as Daejeon City and South Chungcheong Province, to lift indoor mask rules, Jung continued to express a negative opinion.
"I don't know why the local governments are suddenly saying that they will lift indoor mask rules," Jung said during the MBC radio interview. "There is an average of 50 deaths per day, and the winter flu is persisting due to the cold winter."
Jung stressed that he believed that the decisions weren't based on scientific evidence and stressed that indoor mask rules would only be lifted if the vaccination rate of the improved vaccine exceeds 50 percent and the fatality rate of the high-risk group decreases significantly through active oral treatment prescriptions.