South Korea reports its worst virus surge since pandemic

New coronavirus infections in South Korea exceeded 7,000 for the third consecutive day on Friday as the worst surge since the start of the pandemic overwhelmed hospitals and depleted health care workforce.

The country could be forced to take further “extraordinary” measures if it fails to slow the spread of the virus soon.  Serious cases and deaths have soared among people in their 60s or older.

South Korea has also tightened its borders to fend off the new omicron variant since identifying its first cases last week. Officials confirmed three more omicron infections on Friday, bringing the tally to 63.