Rising Infections Raise Concerns of COVID Resurgence

Coronavirus infections in Korea have rebounded to over 40,000 cases a day for the first time in about a month.

On Wednesday morning, the daily tally of new coronavirus infections stood at 40,842.

As the tally has begun to rise again in recent weeks with the beginning of the flu season, there are growing concerns over a resurgence of COVID cases this winter.

"COVID cases here have retreated and resurged every five months or so," said Shin Sang-yeop at the Korea Medical Institute. "It is likely we will see another resurgence in COVID cases in November."

As the coronavirus pandemic drags on, major symptoms and illness patterns are also changing.

Based on a joint study by U.S. and U.K. researchers, U.S. political website The Hill reported that the main symptoms of COVID-19 have shifted from fever and the loss of smell to coughing and sneezing as often seen in patients with the common cold.

"Among fully vaccinated participants, symptoms frequently reported earlier on in the pandemic were less prevalent, like the loss of smell, fever, and shortness of breath. Loss of smell and shortness of breath have also been reported less often by unvaccinated patients who test positive for COVID... Other symptoms frequently reported seem to have become less prevalent as well, like chills or shivers; COVID toes or fingers; and stomach aches," it said.