South Korea struggles with rising COVID-19 cases
(VOVWORLD) - South Korea is seeing a huge uptick in cases. The Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 470 deaths on Thursday, the most since the pandemic broke out, though new infections fell to 396,000 from 490,000 the previous day.
 Medical workers in Seoul transfer a COVID-19 patient to a hospital on March 22, 2022. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
Korea’s total infections surpassed 10 million early this week, 9 million of which have occurred since the beginning of February. The coronavirus will continue to spread in South Korea because pandemic restrictions have been lifted to help the retail and service sectors recover from a two-year pandemic slowdown.
The Portuguese government announced Wednesday that its COVID-19 pandemic "alert" will be extended until April 18. Masks are currently mandated at public indoor spaces, health service facilities, and on public transportation.
The Netherlands has completely lifted its pandemic protocols. Non-EU travelers to the Netherlands are no longer required to show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from the virus, or a negative COVID-19 test.
476 million COVID-19 cases and 6 million deaths had been reported worldwide as of Thursday noon, according to worldometers.info.