S. Korea reports 8 more cases of new coronavirus, total now at 10,702

SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reported another single-digit number of new coronavirus cases Thursday, as the country's strict social distancing campaign and enhanced quarantine measures helped contain the spread of the virus.

The country added eight new virus cases, bringing the nation's total infections to 10,702, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

The figure marks a drastic drop from the Feb. 29 peak of 909 new cases. The country confirmed its first COVID-19 infection on Jan. 20.

Of the eight cases detected Wednesday, four were imported.

The nation's death toll from the coronavirus rose by two to 240, the authorities said.

In total, 8,411 virus patients in South Korea have been discharged from hospitals, up 134 from a day earlier. The country has carried out tests on 583,971 people since Jan. 3.

The number of new infections continued to slow in Daegu, the nation's worst virus-hit region that accounts for around 64 percent of the total cases, with just four additional cases.

North Gyeongsang Province, which surrounds Daegu, reported no new infections.

No new cases were reported from the capital city of Seoul as well.

With its monthlong social distancing drive, South Korea avoided the worst scenario despite being one of the first countries hit hard by the virus that originated from China.

While health authorities remain wary of another wave of COVID-19 infections, the country is slowly moving to lift some of its social distancing regulations this week, giving the go-ahead for some facilities, including gyms.

The country, however, said overall social distancing is still in force until May 5, and it is considering moving toward "everyday life quarantine" after the date if the number of cases continues to plateau.

colin@yna.co.kr
(END)