South Korea reports over 2,000 COVID-19 cases as virus spikes again

ANKARA

South Korea on Wednesday reported over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases as the infections have spiked again since the country was hit by the Delta strain of the coronavirus on Aug. 3, local media reported.

The capital Seoul recorded 673 daily infections, the highest single-day number since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country, according to the Health Ministry's latest data.

With 2,152 new cases on Wednesday, South Korea's caseload rose to 241,439, along with the latest spikes of 1,418 on Monday and 1,509 cases Tuesday.

The country also registered nine more fatalities, raising the deaths toll to 2,237.

Over the past 24 hours, Gyeonggi Province saw 579 more cases, while 117 new infections were recorded in the western port city of Incheon, 99 in Daegu, 86 in the Busan city, and 102 in South Gyeongsang Province.

According to Yonhap News Agency, during the last week, the country reported 3,062 COVID-19 cases, with 99% of them registered as the Delta strain.

The new cases have been rising in the country although South Korean authorities have implemented the strongest Level 4 measures in Seoul and other areas against the pandemic.

Under the restrictions, gatherings of more than two people after 6 p.m. are banned, while restaurants and cafes are allowed to serve until 10 p.m., and nightclubs and other entertainment venues are also banned.

With the COVID-19 vaccination campaign underway in the country, so far 26.7 million people, or 52% of the population, have received their first shots, while around 25% of them have been fully vaccinated, according to the agency.

* Writing by Islamuddin Sajid.