New COVID-19 cases remained in the 40-thousand range for the second day on Thursday.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Thursday that 42-thousand-296 cases were compiled throughout the previous day, including 23 overseas infections, bringing the total caseload to 17-million-437-thousand-68.

The number of patients in critical care rose by nine to 441, remaining in the 400s for the sixth consecutive day.

The number of COVID-19 deaths stood at 79, raising the death toll to 23-thousand-158. The fatality rate stands at zero-point-13 percent.

The occupancy rate of ICU beds for critically ill patients nationwide stands at 21-point-seven percent, while nearly 250-thousand people are recovering from COVID-19 at home.