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| ▲ Medical workers warm their hands at heaters set up around a temporary coronavirus screening center in front of Seoul Station on Jan. 10, 2021, during a strong cold wave sweeping across South Korea. (Yonhap) |
coronavirus-additional case
New virus cases at over 1-month low on fewer tests, infection slowdown
SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases rose by the smallest number in 41 days Monday apparently on the back of tightened social distancing measures and fewer tests over the weekend.
The country added 451 more COVID-19 cases, including 419 local infections, raising the total caseload to 69,114, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Monday's daily caseload marks the first time since Dec. 1 that the daily figure stayed in the 400 range and also a sharp drop from 665 recorded on Sunday, 641 on Saturday and 674 on Friday.
An average of 693 daily new cases were reported across the country over the past week, staying in the 600 range for the first time since early December, the KDCA said.
However, fewer tests are usually carried out during the weekend.
The country has enforced the Level 2.5 social distancing scheme in the greater Seoul area, which is the second highest in the country's five-tier scheme, and Level 2 rules in other areas since Dec. 8. Health authorities extended the measures until Jan. 17.
Private gatherings of five or more people are banned across the nation during the extended period.
Restaurants and high-risk entertainment venues, including bars, clubs and karaoke establishments, in the Seoul metropolitan area will be allowed to conditionally reopen when the current Level 2.5 measures expire.
The authorities said they will decide whether to lower the level on the coming weekend.
Despite the downward trend, health officials have been vigilant against a new virus variant that was first reported in Britain.
South Korea added 15 more deaths, raising the total to 1,140, according to the authorities.
The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries was up 2,143 from the previous day to reach 52,552.
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