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SEOUL (Reuters): A South Korean health official said on Sunday (Jan.3) that a third wave of the novel coronavirus is being contained, as it reported the lowest number of new infections in nearly four weeks with the help of Tighter restrictions during the New Years Holiday Season.
New cases for Saturday totaled 657, far less than 824 the day before, but bringing the country’s total cases to 63,244 with 962 deaths, according to the Korea Disease Prevention and Control Agency (KDCA).
“The latest third wave of coronavirus spread is being contained as a result of expanded Covid-19 testing (recently) and strengthened distancing measures,” Sohn Young-rae, a senior health official, said in a briefing.
He said the worst for the country appears to be passing, although he added that it is premature to say the situation has definitely turned to decline, given the decline in testing over the New Year holidays and on weekends.
The government decided on Saturday to expand the ban on private gatherings of more than four people to include the entire country, and extend the unprecedented social distancing rules in Seoul and neighboring areas until January 17.
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