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SEOUL: South Korea reported 1,030 new coronavirus infections on Sunday (December 13), the second consecutive daily record as a country that had initial success in controlling COVID-19 and is now fighting a harsh third wave.
Of the new cases, 1,002 were transmitted locally, about 786 of which were discovered in the Seoul metropolitan area, home to half of the country’s 52 million people.
It brings the total to 42,766 infections with 580 deaths, the Korea Agency for Disease Prevention and Control said.
The weekend numbers followed several days in which authorities reported numbers ranging from 500 to 600.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on Saturday that further tightening the restriction on social distancing to the nation’s highest level would be inevitable if the spread continues, practically a first-time lockdown in Asia’s fourth-largest economy. .
The strictest restrictions include a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people and spectators at sporting events. Cafes can only serve takeout food, while restaurants must close at 9pm, and deliveries are only allowed afterwards.
READ: South Korea rushes to build container hospital beds to combat third wave COVID-19
On Saturday, South Korea reported 950 new infections, prompting President Moon Jae-in to order the mobilization of police, military personnel and public doctors to block the spread, which he called an “emergency.”
READ: South Korea’s ultra-cold warehouse prepares to store Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine
Greater Seoul has level 2.5 restrictions. Raising it to 3, the highest of the five tiers, would require schools to switch to remote learning, allow only essential workers in offices, and prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people.
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