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SEOUL: South Korea reported 34 additional cases of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in the past 24 hours, as a series of broadcasts linked to clubgoers threatens the country’s profits in its fight against the virus.
Figures released on Sunday (May 10) by the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention increased national totals to 10,874 with 256 deaths.
The agency said 9,610 recovered and 10,128 more were tested to determine if they had contracted the virus.
The agency said a tentative evaluation showed that 26 of the 34 new patients were cases of local transmission, while the rest were imported.
South Korean media reported that it was the first time that South Korea’s daily jump marked more than 30 in about a month.
The agency did not immediately provide further details.
But most of the new cases in the past few days were related to nightclubs in Seoul’s Itaewon entertainment neighborhood.
Authorities said Friday that they detected at least 15 infections related to a 29-year-old man who had visited three Itaewon clubs before testing positive on Wednesday.
Infections raised concern about a further surge in South Korea, which has seen fewer and fewer new cases for weeks after having had hundreds of new cases each day through early March.
Later, the government announced that the capital of South Korea ordered the closure of all clubs and bars after an explosion of new cases raised fears of a second wave of coronavirus when President Moon Jae-in urged the public to remain. vigilant.
The nation has presented itself as a global model on how to curb the virus, but Seoul’s mayor’s order on Saturday followed the new group of infection in Itaewon, one of the city’s busiest nightlife districts.
“Neglect can lead to an explosion of infections,” said Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, adding that the order will continue in force indefinitely.
Park asked those who visited those clubs and bars to volunteer.
President Moon said Sunday that the new infection group had “raised awareness that even during the stabilization phase, similar situations can arise again at any time.”
“It won’t end until it’s over,” Moon said during a speech marking his third anniversary of taking office.
“As long as we maintain an improved alertness to the end, we must never let our guard down regarding epidemic prevention,” he added.
Moon has enjoyed growing public support for his government’s handling of the virus, leading to a landslide victory for his party in last month’s parliamentary elections.
South Koreans reacted with fury and fear to the news of the latest increase in infections.
“What a disaster … Is this the start of another wave of a coronavirus outbreak across the country?” wrote an online user.
Another commenter added: “It is outrageous how selfish and ignorant people can be. We should all stay home.”
The country suffered one of the worst early outbreaks of the disease outside of mainland China, and although it never imposed a mandatory blockade, strict social distancing had been observed since March.
But he appears to have controlled his outbreak thanks to an extensive “trace, test, and treat” program that has received high praise.
Facilities like museums and churches have returned to business, and some professional sports, such as baseball and soccer, have started new seasons, while schools will reopen starting next week. – AFP / Reuters
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