New virus cases slow slightly, cluster infections still grip greater Seoul
SEOUL, June 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new virus cases slowed slightly Thursday, but the greater Seoul area is still haunted by a steady rise in cluster infections despite toughened measures to stem further community spread in the metropolitan area.
The country added 45 new cases, including 40 local infections, raising the total caseload to 11,947, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
It marked a slight decrease from a day earlier when the figure reached 50.
All of the locally transmitted cases were reported from the Seoul metropolitan area.
South Korea lifted a nationwide social distancing scheme on May 6, but it enhanced measures in Seoul and the surrounding regions, as a number of infection clusters sprang up.
As of Wednesday, cases traced to a warehouse run by e-commerce leader Coupang in Bucheon, just west of Seoul, reached 144, up five from the previous day. Those linked to small churches in the metropolitan area reached 92, four more cases than a day earlier.
COVID-19 cases linked to a table tennis gym in southwestern Seoul came in at 54 a day earlier, according to the KCDC.
Cases tied to a door-to-door business establishment rose to 106 as of Thursday morning, with patients aged 60 and above accounting for nearly 70 percent.
The string of cluster infections in the densely populated area came as South Korea completed its phased reopening of schools Monday. Some 500 schools from the metropolitan area, however, delayed their reopening due to cluster infections.
This week will be a critical juncture in deciding whether to maintain the tightened distancing measures in the capital area.
Health authorities remain concerned over the rising possibility that the second wave of the pandemic may strike the country earlier than expected.
Total death tally remained unchanged at 276.
The total number of people released from quarantine after full recoveries stood at 10,654, up 43 from the previous day.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
(News Focus) Display, electronics makers dealt blow by COVID-19 lockdowns in China
-
BTS to meet Biden at White House to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes
-
(URGENT) Russian, Chinese warplanes enter S. Korea's air defense zone without notice: JCS
-
Multiple Russian, Chinese warplanes enter KADIZ without notice: JCS
-
Premier League Golden Boot winner Son Heung-min receives hero's welcome home
-
(5th LD) Yoon, Biden agree to expand joint military exercises to cope with N.K. threats
-
(LEAD) Multiple Russian, Chinese warplanes enter KADIZ without notice: JCS
-
(News Focus) Display, electronics makers dealt blow by COVID-19 lockdowns in China
-
With historic Golden Boot, Son Heung-min cements case as greatest S. Korean footballer ever
-
(URGENT) Russian, Chinese warplanes enter S. Korea's air defense zone without notice: JCS
-
S. Korean volunteer fighter in Ukraine returns home with injuries
-
S. Korean midfielder Hwang Hee-chan to enter military training after 2 friendlies in June
-
BTS to meet Biden at White House to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes
-
S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases below 20,000 for 2nd day as omicron wave ebbs
-
U.N. Security Council fails to pass N. Korea resolution due to opposition by China, Russia