South Korea will distribute free coronavirus rapid test kits at schools and senior care facilities starting next week as it weathers an unprecedented wave of infections driven by the fast-moving omicron variant.
Health officials on Wednesday reported its highest daily jump in coronavirus infections with 90,443 new cases, shattering the by more than 33,000 cases. The figure represents more than a 20-fold increase from the levels seen in mid-January, when omicron emerged as the country’s dominant strain, and some experts say the country could see daily cases of around 200,000 in March.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hye said schools will be getting enough kits for students to use twice a week, but added that such tests won’t be mandatory. The fast-developing omicron surge has left officials debating whether the country should maintain strict social distancing rules, including a six-person limit on private social gatherings and a 9 p.m. curfew for restaurants.
There are also concerns that transmissions could worsen as campaigning and political rallies began on Tuesday ahead of the March 9 presidential elections.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kamsahamnida! South Korea donates vaccine cold chain vehicles to PHClose to 40 vehicles intended to transport COVID-19 vaccines were donated by the South Korean government to the Philippines.
Read more »
Indonesia reports record number of COVID casesIndonesia reported a record number of new coronavirus cases on Tuesday as the Omicron variant spreads across the Southeast Asian archipelago. READ:
Read more »
'Battlefield mode': Hong Kong hospitals buckle under Omicron waveHuddled under blankets and thermal shields, dozens of elderly patients shivered on gurneys outside a hospital serving one of HK’s poorest communities— a grim tableau for the city as its health system buckles under an Omicron-fuelled coronavirus wave READ:
Read more »
Valieva dominates the ice despite doping scandalNo medals will be awarded if Kamila Valieva, the teen skating star whose positive drug test has cast a shadow over the entire Winter Olympics, finishes in the top three. WinterOlympics Beijing2022
Read more »
ENHYPEN’s Sunoo recovers from COVID-19; ITZY's Chaeryeong, ATEEZ’s San and more test positiveK-pop boy band ENHYPEN’s Sunoo has recovered from COVID-19 while more Korean stars have tested positive.
Read more »
Diokno gives legal advice for 'victims' of Comelec’s ‘Operation Baklas’ on private landSenatorial aspirant Jose Manuel ‘Chel’ Diokno has pieces of advice for those affected by the “Operation Baklas” of the Comelec.
Read more »