Covid-19 hospitalizations rise 7 weeks straight; KDCA urges masks in hospitals
The number of hospitalized Covid-19 patients in Korea has risen for seven consecutive weeks, prompting the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) to recommend that medical and nursing facility workers, caregivers, and visitors wear masks to protect high-risk groups.
On Friday, the KDCA announced that the number of Covid-19 patients hospitalized in hospitals nationwide continues to increase and that preventive measures are necessary to protect high-risk groups.
The number of hospitalized Covid-19 patients at 221 sample surveillance hospitals nationwide reached 302 in the 33rd week of 2025 (Aug. 10–16), marking a seven-week consecutive increase after recording 63 cases in the 26th week (June 22–28).
According to the cumulative age-specific hospitalization statistics for 2025, those aged 65 and older accounted for 2,458 cases, or 60.0 percent of the total 4,100 hospitalized patients, followed by those aged 50–64 with 756 cases (18.4 percent), and those aged 19–49 with 407 cases (9.9 percent).
The Covid-19 virus detection rate was 31.5 percent in the 33rd week, showing a slight decrease from the previous week's increasing trend. However, the concentration of the Covid-19 virus in wastewater monitoring has continued to rise gradually since the 26th week.
The KDCA said that while it predicts the epidemic will ease by August, considering the slowing increase in the number of hospitalized patients in the 33rd week, it is necessary to continue monitoring the impact of factors, including the reopening of schools.
“Although we are getting through this summer without a major outbreak like last year, the number of Covid-19 hospitalizations is still increasing,” KDCA Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan said. “Please practice Covid-19 prevention guidelines in your daily lives.”
Lim continued, “To protect high-risk groups, medical and nursing facility staff, caregivers, and visitors must wear masks. High-risk groups should refrain from participating in events or gathering in crowded places, and wear masks when participating.”