South Korea reported over a thousand more infections this Monday, showing no signs of abating.
Health officials are closely monitoring this week’s daily cases to decide what measures to take to contain the fourth wave of the pandemic.
For more, we have our Min Suk-hyen on the line.
Suk-hyen, give us the details.
Well, Mok-yeon.
The country reported 1,219 new cases today, down 223 from the previous day.
It’s a slight fall from yesterday, but this is only because there were fewer tests taken over the weekend.
Of Monday’s cases, 69 cases were from overseas and the remaining were ALL locally transmitted.
The greater Seoul area continues to be a virus hotspot, accounting for more than 65 percent of today’s local cases.
Despite nationwide containment efforts, daily new cases have been above a thousand for almost a month now.
Health officials say that if the current surge continues they will have no choice but to enact additional measures both in and outside of the capital.
Currently, the greater Seoul area is under the strongest Level 4 social distancing rules, with most other places under Level 3 until August 8th.
This week’s daily virus case numbers are, therefore, important playing a part in determining whether or not to raise or even extend the country’s social distancing measures.
Moving onto the country’s vaccination drive.
I hear that South Korea is expanding inoculations to those who’ve missed appointments and to young adults this week
That’s right.
Starting today, till the end of this month, vaccination bookings will be available for those who missed their vaccine appointments, particularly for the elderly between the ages of 60 to 74.
People above 75 can make reservations at any time.
Also, those between the ages of 18 to 49 can make pre-registration for their vaccines from Tuesday.
The three-day registration will allow about two million more workers to receive their shots, including delivery drivers and street maintenance workers.
So far, about 38 percent of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and around 7.14 million have been fully vaccinated.
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