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SEOUL: 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.
The nation has presented itself as a global model on how to curb the virus, but the Seoul mayor’s order on Saturday (May 9) followed the new group of infection in Itaewon, one of the city’s busiest nightlife districts. .
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More than two dozen cases related to a 29-year-old man who tested positive after spending time at five clubs and bars in Itaewon this past weekend.
Health authorities have warned of a further increase in infections, and it is estimated that around 7,200 people visited the five identified establishments.
“Neglect can lead to an explosion of infections,” said Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, adding that the order will continue in force indefinitely.
READ: South Korean patient COVID-19 went to a nightclub in Seoul before testing positive, authorities say
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Park asked those who visited those clubs and bars to volunteer.
Of the 18 new South Korean cases reported Saturday, 17 were linked to the Itaewon group, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The leap in new infections comes as daily life in South Korea has slowly begun to return to normal, with the government relaxing the rules of social distancing last Wednesday.
The nation 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 art galleries have returned to business, and some professional sports, such as baseball and soccer, have started new seasons, with schools reopening starting next week.
South Korea reported 34 new cases on Sunday, bringing the total to 10,874, its largest daily increase in a month.
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