S. Korea sees more than 300 COVID-19 cases for first time since March
- 4 years ago
국내 코로나 확진 324명... 3월 초 이후 첫 300명대 발생
The number of newly-confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea has surpassed 300 again for the first time in five months... most being local transmissions linked to the Sarang Jeil Church and the rally held at Gwanghwamun last weekend.
In a bid to contain the spread, health authorities are urging people not refrain from holding protests over the weekend.
Choi Won-jong reports.
South Korea saw three-hundred-24 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday.
Just nine of the new cases were imported from overseas.
This brings the total to 16-thousand six-hundred-70 with two additional deaths, bringing the death toll to three-hundred-nine.
With this new number, the nation has surpassed the 300 mark for the first time since the beginning of March.
Health authorities said on Friday that cluster infections are expected to rise.
" We are now in a critical situation where we are close to seeing a large-scale COVID-19 outbreak."
In Seoul, there was a first case of COVID-19 confirmed at the National Police Agency building...after a police officer tested positive on Friday morning.
As a result, the 13th floor where the officer was working has been shut down.
In addition, Seoul Metro announced that one of its workers at the Seoul National University subway station has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Authorities closed down the station office and the workers' lounge immediately.
Outside the metropolitan region, a senior district judge in the city of Jeonju has also been disgnosed with the virus.
This was the first example of a court judge being infected in South Korea.
In addition, the recent cluster infections are having an impact on the media industry.
Some of Seoul's major media companies, such as SBS and KBS, have both been forced into building shutdowns, and all staff members have been isolated and tested for COVID-19.
Head of the KCDC, Jung Eun-kyeong, said the level of social distancing could be raised to the highest after this coming weekend.
"If we continue to see an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, we should consider upgrading to level three of social distancing."
The health authorities urged people to follow the government's quarantine measures, banning any protests with more than 10 people in Seoul over the weekend.
Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.
The number of newly-confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea has surpassed 300 again for the first time in five months... most being local transmissions linked to the Sarang Jeil Church and the rally held at Gwanghwamun last weekend.
In a bid to contain the spread, health authorities are urging people not refrain from holding protests over the weekend.
Choi Won-jong reports.
South Korea saw three-hundred-24 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday.
Just nine of the new cases were imported from overseas.
This brings the total to 16-thousand six-hundred-70 with two additional deaths, bringing the death toll to three-hundred-nine.
With this new number, the nation has surpassed the 300 mark for the first time since the beginning of March.
Health authorities said on Friday that cluster infections are expected to rise.
" We are now in a critical situation where we are close to seeing a large-scale COVID-19 outbreak."
In Seoul, there was a first case of COVID-19 confirmed at the National Police Agency building...after a police officer tested positive on Friday morning.
As a result, the 13th floor where the officer was working has been shut down.
In addition, Seoul Metro announced that one of its workers at the Seoul National University subway station has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Authorities closed down the station office and the workers' lounge immediately.
Outside the metropolitan region, a senior district judge in the city of Jeonju has also been disgnosed with the virus.
This was the first example of a court judge being infected in South Korea.
In addition, the recent cluster infections are having an impact on the media industry.
Some of Seoul's major media companies, such as SBS and KBS, have both been forced into building shutdowns, and all staff members have been isolated and tested for COVID-19.
Head of the KCDC, Jung Eun-kyeong, said the level of social distancing could be raised to the highest after this coming weekend.
"If we continue to see an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, we should consider upgrading to level three of social distancing."
The health authorities urged people to follow the government's quarantine measures, banning any protests with more than 10 people in Seoul over the weekend.
Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.