SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea on Wednesday reported its highest daily rise in new coronavirus cases since early March when outbreaks of churches spread across the capital, prompting a warning of a nationwide wave of infections.
The 297 new infections mark the sixth straight day of triple-digit increases in a country that has managed to stem several previous outbreaks.
The national tally increased to 16,058 infections with 306 deaths, according to data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
Nearly 90% of the new cases appeared in the capital Seoul and surrounding areas, raising concerns about the rapid spread of the virus in a metropolitan area of more than 25 million people.
“We are in a desperately dangerous crisis, with infections spreading throughout the Seoul metropolitan area and threatening to lead to a massive nationwide transmission,” Vice Minister of Public Health Kim Gang-lip told a briefing.
“The government can not only contain the current spread with tracing and isolation … please stay at home unless you have to go out.”
At least 166 of the new infections have been linked to the Sarang Jeil Church, bringing the number of cases to 623.
Authorities have mobilized about 8,500 police to track down another 600 members of the church congregation who are in isolation, and they are trying to test all of its 4,000 members.
Some members of the church, which is run by a radical conservative preacher, are reluctant to come forward and protest, or to isolate themselves, officials have said.
Many of them also attended anti-government groups in Seoul over the weekend where thousands of people from all over the country gathered, causing fear infections to be sown there.
KCDC deputy director Kwon Jun-wook said 10 people were infected during the protests without ties to the church and support anyone who comes forward to test.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun promised to take legal action against the church for any attempt to restrict traces and tests by failing to provide accurate membership lists.
At least three other smaller clusters have been recovered to churches in Seoul and one to a church in the city of Yongin. More than 50 cases have been linked to a coffee in the city of Paju.
Nightclubs, karaoke bars, buffets and cybercafes have been ordered to close in Seoul and surrounding regions.
Services for individuals are also prohibited, while meetings of indoor and outdoor areas are limited to 50 and 100 people respectively.
Authorities said that if the number of infections increases or continues at the current prevalence rate, they are likely to impose the highest level of social separation rules, including closing schools, advising companies to work from home and meetings limited to 10 people.
Kwon said the country would be at a ‘crossroads’ in the coming days and the government might have to impose tougher caps if there was a spike in cases with no obvious origin.
Report by Josh Smith and Hyonhee Shin; Edited by Stephen Coates, Robert Birsel
.
