South Korea daily COVID-19 circumstances highest since August; nationwide infections feared
18 November, 2020
South Korea reported 313 new daily COVID-19 cases on Wednesday (Nov 18), the best number since August, as cluster infections continued to emerge from office buildings, medical facilities and tiny gatherings, prompting authorities to tighten social distancing rules.
The daily tally has been above 200 for five consecutive days and surpassed 300 for the very first time since August when there is a huge outbreak at a church political rally, in line with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The government chosen Tuesday to impose stricter public distancing measures for the greater Seoul area a month after easing them, warning of a straight bigger crisis if its current efforts neglect to blunt a spike in new cases.
"We're in an emergency where there will be pessimistic views that predict another nationwide transmission," Vice Health Minister Kang Do-tae told a gathering.
"Infections are now occurring simultaneously atlanta divorce attorneys corner of our society, true to life situations, unlike days gone by when there were large outbreaks from a specific place or group."
Of the new cases, 245 were locally transmitted and 68 imported. Nearly 74 % of domestic infections originated from the higher Seoul area, residence to around half of the country's 52 million population, including cases associated with a hiking golf club, a fitness center, a manufacturing facility and family gatherings.
Total infections are actually at 29,311, with 496 deaths.
Starting Thursday people gatherings of 100 persons or more will come to be banned, religious services and sporting events will be limited to 30 % capacity, and high-risk establishments incorporating clubs and karaoke bars need to widen distance among friends.
Overall health authorities have warned the daily tally could get as high as 400, and they might tighten community distancing further to limit night-time eating out and curtail public transportation if the problem does not stabilise over the next two weeks.
"It's complicated to overcome this innovative crisis ... ," Kang stated, urging citizens to implement stringent hygiene rules and minimise travelling and year-end celebrations.
Source:
TAG(s):