South Korea's daily COVID-19 infections dip to a near 4-month low under 10,000

The number of new COVID-19 infections in South Korea fell below 10,000 for the first time in over four months on Monday, as the highly dangerous Omicron form fades despite reduced pandemic restrictions (May 23).

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the tally of 9,975 cases is the fewest since South Korea recorded 8,570 instances in late January.

South Korea dropped most of its pandemic-related restrictions earlier this month, including the requirement to wear an outside mask, after a high of over 600,000 cases in mid-March.

North Korea is fighting its first COVID-19 pandemic while denying most outside aid and keeping its border closed.