New COVID-19 cases remained in the 40-thousand range for a second day on Thursday.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Thursday that 42-thousand-296 cases were compiled throughout the previous day, including 23 overseas infections, bringing the total caseload to 17-million-437-thousand-68.
The number of COVID-19 deaths stood at 79, raising the death toll to 23-thousand-158. The fatality rate stands at zero-point-13 percent.
The occupancy rate of ICU beds for critically ill patients nationwide stands at 21-point-seven percent, while nearly 250-thousand people are recovering from COVID-19 at home.