As temperatures plummet to minus 15 degrees Celsius in Seoul and as low as minus 21-point-five in some parts of North Gyeonngi Province, the number of cold weather-triggered patients surged. 

From December first last year to January tenth this year, the frigid cold took a toll on a total of 245 people, seven of whom lost their lives to hypothermia.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control on Friday warned that elderly people suffering from cardio and cerebral vascular diseases are at a higher risk of developing hypothermia as they have trouble maintaining their body temperatures.

In an emergency situation, experts advise seeking immediate medical treatment as hypothermia is a life- threatening condition.