Daily coronavirus cases spike to over 350,000, total caseload nears 10 million

People wait in line for a COVID-19 test at a respiratory clinic in Seoul, March 22. Yonhap

Korea's new COVID-19 cases spiked again to over 350,000 Monday, adding to concerns that infections could climb further as the accumulated caseload nears 10 million.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 353,980 new case as of midnight, raising the total caseload to 9,936,540.

The total caseload is expected to breach the grim milestone of 10 million within the day, meaning one in five Koreans has been infected with COVID-19.

Monday's total tally marked a sharp climb from 209,169 reported Sunday. The number of new daily cases usually shrinks at the beginning of the week due to less testing over the weekend.

The death toll came to 13,141, up 384 from Sunday, the KDCA said; while the number of critically ill patients stood at 1,104, down 26 from the previous day.

Concerns lingered that daily infections could spike again as eased social distancing rules went into effect Monday as part of efforts to help small merchants and business owners taking the brunt of the pandemic due to less foot traffic and consumption. (Yonhap)