Coronavirus: rise in serious cases worries South Korea; more curbs eased in Melbourne
- South Korea reported a record high 3,292 new virus cases as the country moves into the first phase of its ‘living with Covid-19’ with relaxed restrictions
- People in Australia’s second-largest city can now hit the dance floor and there will be no limits on home gatherings
A rise in cases was predicted by officials and experts after many social distancing restrictions were lifted earlier this month after the country surpassed its goal of vaccinating 70 per cent of its 52 million people. More than 78.5 per cent are now fully inoculated, including more than 90 per cent of adults.
As of Thursday there were 506 serious cases, down slightly from an all-time high 522 reported a day before.
To blunt that spike the KDCA said on Wednesday it has decided to shorten the dosing interval for booster shots for people aged 60 or older and those who live or work at nursing homes and other vulnerable facilities to four months.
Hospital beds are being filled rapidly around the greater Seoul area, with only about 30 per cent of intensive care units left available as of Wednesday.