New virus cases below 100 for 2nd day amid concerns over post-Halloween surge

People wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus run during rain at the Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. AP

South Korea's new coronavirus infections stayed in double digits for the second consecutive day Tuesday, but concerns remain over cluster infections following Halloween celebrations over the weekend.

The country added 75 more COVID-19 cases, including 46 local infections, raising the total caseload to 26,807, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

The figure marked a fall from Monday when the triple-digit growth fell back to double digits for the first time in six days, the KDCA said.

The number of locally transmitted cases slipped below 50 for the first time in two weeks, while 29 were infected abroad, it said.

Since the country eased its three-tier social distancing measures by one notch to the lowest level on Oct. 12, the daily figures have shown ups and downs, hovering around 100.

The latest cases came mostly from senior nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities, but sporadic community infections have taken place at small gatherings of family and friends across the country.

Health authorities are still on guard against case increases this week as young people gathered at clubs and bars in Seoul for Halloween parties over the weekend in the middle of eased social distancing measures.

Authorities are paying keen attention to the latest cases, which could affect the new social distancing precautions set to take effect Saturday.

On Sunday, the authorities announced a new five-tier social distancing scheme with more specific and tailored antivirus steps, four months after the government made public the three-tier guidelines. (Yonhap)