New COVID-19 cases stay over 2,000 for 5th straight day amid relaxed virus curbs
A woman gets tested for COVID-19 at a testing center in Seoul Plaza, downtown Seoul, Nov. 6. Yonhap
South Korea's new coronavirus cases stayed above 2,000 for the fifth consecutive day Sunday amid worries over a resurgence of infections after the country relaxed virus curbs to gradually return to normalcy under its "living with COVID-19" scheme.
The country reported 2,224 new COVID-19 cases, including 2,204 local infections, raising the total caseload to 379,935, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The figure is slightly down from 2,248 cases but marked the fifth straight day it has been over 2,000 since surging to 2,667 on Wednesday.
The death toll rose by 11 to 2,967, falling from the previous day's 20. The fatality rate stands at 0.78 percent.
Health authorities are bracing for a rise in infections for the time being as people are expected to expand their outdoor activities and private gatherings under recently relaxed social distancing rules.
Last Monday, the government introduced the "living with COVID-19" scheme under which it eased social distancing rules aimed at returning to normal life in phases after the country achieved its initial target of fully vaccinating 70 percent of the population. (Yonhap)