New COVID-19 cases registered in the 14-thousands for a third day, around four thousand fewer than a week ago.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Sunday that 14-thousand-18 infections were reported throughout Saturday, including 34 from overseas.

The tally is down by some 600 from the previous day and about 42-hundred from a week ago. Compared to two weeks ago, the figure has dropped by some two thousand, showing a steady drop in infections even after the removal of the indoor mask mandate.

The number of seriously or critically ill hospitalized patients is down by 12 from a day earlier at 313.

Saturday added 22 deaths, raising the death toll to 33-thousand-596. The overall fatality rate stands at zero-point-11 percent.