The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Thu, January 28, 2021 | 06:53
Health & Welfare
Korea's coronavirus infections approaching 10,000
Posted : 2020-03-31 16:08
Updated : 2020-03-31 17:01
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
A passenger arriving from Germany enters into a government-designated quarantine facility in Gwangju, Tuesday. / Yonhap
A passenger arriving from Germany enters into a government-designated quarantine facility in Gwangju, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Bahk Eun-ji

The number of Coronavirus infections is fast approaching 10,000 as cluster outbreaks and imported cases continue to increase, health authorities said Tuesday.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), 125 new infections were confirmed Monday, bringing the nation's total to 9,786. Among them, 29 cases were detected at immigration quarantine checkpoints, bringing the total number of the imported cases to 518. Of the newly reported, 60 were in Daegu, the epicenter of the virus outbreak here, following mass infections at a hospital. The death toll rose by four to 162.

In Seoul, 24 additional cases were detected after more confirmed cases were reported at a church. Gyeonggi Province reported 13 new infections, while Incheon, west of Seoul, recorded six new cases.

The government plans to enforce a two-week mandatory self-quarantine measure to all passengers arriving from abroad starting Wednesday in order to effectively contain the imported cases. Passengers without local addresses are to stay in government-designated facilities at their own expense.

In regard to the continuous concerns over community infections due to imported cases, President Moon Jae-in called for strict legal measures against those who violate the quarantine rules.

"To protect our citizens and secure the public safety, we need strict legal measures for those who do not follow the rules," Moon said during a weekly Cabinet meeting.

He said the country still has a long way to go before reaching a status of stabilization, so containing imported cases is a key factor to mitigate further spread here.

"A small hole will break a dam. At the time that all citizens endeavor to ensure the safety of the community at the expense of their inconveniences such as following social distancing rules, there should be no single person rendering everyone's efforts useless," he added.

As a part of the strict legal measures coming into force, Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Government said it has filed a lawsuit against two travelers who tested positive to COVID-19 after a five-day trip to the island. The lawsuit has sought compensation for a total of 20 local businesses who were forced to temporarily shut down as a result of the two Korean visitors ― a student returning from college in the United States and her mother ― and that 97 people had been placed under quarantine after coming into contact with them.

Jeju Gov. Won Hee-ryong said the Jeju provincial government is likely to seek 132 million ($108,370) won in damages from the student and her mother. The provincial government is also considering filing a separate criminal lawsuit against the student for violating Korea's laws on prevention of infectious diseases.


Emailejb@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter









 
WooriBank
 
  • SsangYong faces receivership as Mahindra-HAAH deal collapses
  • What to expect from the Fed's first FOMC meeting of 2021
  • Are Kakao boss' children being prepared for future succession?
  • Budget airline industry faces major changes with new players, merger
  • COVID-19 survivors suffering from aftereffects
  • Questions rise over timing of Moon-Xi phone conversation
  • AmorePacific aims for rebound through collaboration with Off-White
  • Childbirths hit record low in November; deaths rise to highest in 37 years
  • S&P highlights Hyundai, Samsung, LG, SK betting on futuristic cars
  • New infections bounce back to over 500
  • Actress and model Song Yu-jung dies at 26 Actress and model Song Yu-jung dies at 26
  • More K-pop singers contribute to animation soundtracks More K-pop singers contribute to animation soundtracks
  • TXT's first Japanese album 'STILL DREAMING' dominates Oricon Chart TXT's first Japanese album 'STILL DREAMING' dominates Oricon Chart
  • AFI Awards: 'Minari' among the Best Films of 2020 AFI Awards: 'Minari' among the Best Films of 2020
  • K-pop groups prepare for returns after members finish mandatory military service K-pop groups prepare for returns after members finish mandatory military service
DARKROOM
  • Biden takes office as 46th president

    Biden takes office as 46th president

  • Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

    Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

  • Second Trump impeachment

    Second Trump impeachment

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright