The government has lowered the nationwide weekly risk level of Covid-19 to "low," the second lowest of the five-tier rating system, for the first time in 13 weeks.

"Last week, the daily average number of confirmed cases was 29,805, the lowest in 13 weeks," Kim Sung-ho, head of the interior ministry's disaster management office, said during a government COVID-19 response meeting. "Therefore, the government has decided to lower the nationwide weekly risk level."

Kim added that the number of new confirmed cases on Wednesday was 19,538, down 47 percent compared to last Wednesday, and the number of new severely ill patients and deaths has also been decreasing for two and three consecutive weeks, respectively.

On Wednesday, the nation reported 25 more Covid-19 deaths, raising the death toll to 33,270. The number of critically ill patients reached 482, up 14 from the previous day.

"Also, the critical care bed occupancy rate on Wednesday was only 29.4 percent," Kim said. "However, an increase in face-to-face contact and movement during the Lunar New Year holiday could lead to an increase in confirmed cases."

Regarding the lifting of the obligation to wear masks indoors, which will take effect on Monday next week, Kim stressed that the government will thoroughly prepare in advance, such as providing information on facilities for maintaining the obligation to wear masks indoors.

"In addition, we ask high-risk groups who have not received additional vaccinations during the winter season to complete vaccinations as soon as possible," Kim said.

Meanwhile, Korea hit yet another grim milestone as the total Covid-19 cases surpassed 30 million cases on Sunday, three years after its first infection was reported on Jan. 20, 2020.