South Korea reports daily record of over 5,000 new coronavirus infections

South Korea's daily new COVID-19 infections topped 5,000 for the first time Wednesday (Dec. 1) and the number of critically ill patients hit a fresh high amid concerns over the global spread of the new virus variant.

The country reported 5,123 new COVID-19 cases, including 5,075 local infections, raising the total caseload to 452,350, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The country's previous highest daily number of cases was 4,115 on Nov. 24. 

South Korea added 34 more deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, raising the death toll to 3,658. The fatality rate stood at 0.81 percent, up from 0.78 percent reported a month earlier.

Critically ill patients also reached an all-time high of 723, marking the first time the number breached the 700 mark. The previous daily record was 661 reported Tuesday.

South Korea has not reported any confirmed Omicron cases so far but is investigating suspected cases in travelers coming from Nigeria.