After dropping its mask mandate in all settings including hospitals in May, the government is now urging the public to wear masks again amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released its guidelines, Thursday, as part of its renewed efforts to contain the disease, saying mask-wearing in crowded indoor areas would help limit its transmission.

The agency added that wearing masks would be particularly advisable for people deemed to be more vulnerable to the risk of developing severe symptoms: older adults and those with underlying medical conditions.

“Employees at and visitors to medical and other high-risk facilities for infection are advised to wear masks, and workers showing symptoms of respiratory disease are advised to be suspended (temporarily) from duties,” the KDCA said.

This comes as the number of COVID-19 patients is rising rapidly. Its data shows the number of people admitted to 220 designated hospitals across the 커뮤니티 country for the disease is projected to reach 1,357 in the second week of August from 226 in the third week of July — the highest figure since the government fully shifted to an endemic approach to the disease back in May.

Age appears to be a major factor in the infection and severity rates of COVID-19. More than 69 percent of them are aged 65 or older, followed by those aged between 50 and 64 (18.2 percent).

Officials anticipate the figure will likely continue to rise in the coming weeks as students and many workers return to their regular duties after the summer break, which typically spans from mid-July to late August.