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Test, trace and isolate. It has been the recipe that stands out as the secret behind South Korea’s successful fight against the coronavirus. But the virus has not been eradicated and the country now faces a third wave, with daily infection rates higher than ever during the pandemic.
On Sunday, 1,030 new virus infections were reported, the highest number in a day since the pandemic began. Almost the same amount was confirmed infected on Saturday, 1,002. Also higher than the previous February record, with 909 infected in one day.
The developments are concerning, especially since the broadcast this time is focused on the capital Seoul and its surroundings. About half of South Korea’s 52 million people live there.
– The capital area is now a covid-19 war zone, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo warned on Monday after a crisis meeting.
President Moon Jae-in describes the development as “very serious” and notes new and stricter restrictions to limit the spread.
– This is the last obstacle before the vaccine is placed, he said after the government meeting.
South Korea is one of those countries where the covid-19 spread only after its appearance in China. In particular, the disease revolved around the city of Daegu, of 2.5 million people, in the southeastern part of the country, where an outbreak occurred in the Christian Shincheonji sect.
At that time, the country managed to limit the infection fairly quickly, as on subsequent occasions when cluster outbreaks occurred.
Authorities are now trying to stop the latest development by expanding testing and monitoring. At the beginning of last week, tighter restrictions were also introduced in the capital region. Among other things, no more than 50 people can meet. The cafes can only be used to take away and the restaurants must close at nine at night.
The next step may be that the number allowed to meet can be reduced to ten people, that schools are closed and that only employees with socially important functions can go to the office.
A total of 42,766 people have been infected and 580 have died from the coronavirus in South Korea.
Read more:
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The secret sect turned into a super crown spreader.
