New virus cases in 600s for 3rd day amid rising concerns over new virus wave
South Korea's daily new COVID-19 infections stayed in the 600s for a third consecutive day Friday as the health authorities continue to ramp up their vigilance amid growing concerns over a looming fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Yonhap
South Korea's daily new COVID-19 infections stayed in the 600s for a third consecutive day Friday as the health authorities continue to ramp up their vigilance amid growing concerns over a looming fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 658 more cases, including 630 local infections, raising the total caseload to 113,444. It added that there had been four more deaths, raising the total to 1,794.
The daily caseload was down from 673 reported for Thursday, 698 for Wednesday and 731 for Tuesday, which marked the highest number since Jan. 7.
The health authorities warned against a potential hike in group infections in public places, including sports facilities, churches, karaoke rooms, restaurants, workplaces and schools, as people increased outdoor activities with the start of spring and with the government's vaccination program under way.
Officials warned of tougher rules on multiuse facilities and business operations if the current infection trend continues.
Last week, the government decided to maintain the current level of social distancing measures through May 2 to contain the virus, while banning the operation of entertainment establishments in the greater Seoul area and the southeastern port city of Busan.
Of the newly confirmed locally transmitted cases, 213 were in Seoul, while the surrounding Gyeonggi Province reported 204. Busan logged 33 new infections.
There were 28 additional imported cases.
The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients was 108, down three from the previous day.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making a recovery was 103,594, up 532 from a day earlier. (Yonhap)