S Korea reports third consecutive record high new Covid-19 cases
South Korea posted its highest-ever number of new daily Covid-19 infections in the last 24 hours, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said today, the third consecutive day of record highs in new infection cases.Starting on Monday, corona virus curbs will be tightened to the strictest level possible in Seoul and neighboring regions for the first time, South Korea said today, as the streak of record new cases fanned concern.
The country reported 1,378 new Covid-19 cases as of midnight Friday, up from Thursday's previous record of 1,316 a day. South Korea has so far fared better than many industrialized nations in infections and deaths, with a mortality rate of 1.22 per cent and the number of severe cases at 148 as of yesterday, which is much lower than the previous peak in late December.
However, the rising trend has prompted a warning that new case numbers may nearly double by end-July. That has led to tougher curbs by the government including people being advised to stay home as much as possible and social gatherings restricted to two people after 6.00pm from four earlier in the day.About 11 per cent of South Korea's 52 million population has completed vaccination, including receiving both shots for vaccines requiring two doses, while 30 per cent have received one dose, KDCA said in a statement.
