South Korea registers record number of COVID-19 deaths

South Korea saw its most deadly day of the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday as its hospitals struggle to keep up with the number of patients they’ve received.

As of Wednesday, nearly 100 COVID-19 patients died from the virus in the past 24 hours, and 906 were in serious or critical condition, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Additionally, 5,567 new infections were also recorded, a new record for a Tuesday; case numbers are usually lower at the start of the week as a result of fewer tests being administered on the weekends, according to The Associated Press. 

Hospitals in the country are approaching capacity limits, and at least 17 people died at home or at facilities last week while they were awaiting beds in hospitals. This comes as 86 percent of intensive care units intended for COVID-19 patients were occupied as over 1,480 people awaited treatment or a place in a hospital, the AP reported. 

The government has hesitated to reimpose regulations given fatigue from past restrictions, but now officials are mulling strengthening their options as a result of the uptick in infections, according to the wire service.

Last week, officials placed limits on private gatherings in some parts of the country and mandated that adults provide their vaccination status to enter restaurants and indoor venues. Still, health experts have called on the country’s leadership to do even more to address the virus, the AP noted. 

On Monday, a coalition of doctors’ groups expressed ”deep concern that there will be a high possibility of serious fatalities if [the government] fails to employ stronger measures to reverse the crisis before it’s too late,” per the AP.

“What we absolutely need now is an urgent standstill to allow our medical system to restore its ability to respond [to the virus],” the groups added in their statement.