644 New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed... Total 118,887 Cases

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] On the 24th, the number of new COVID-19 cases increased by 600 in one day. Due to the weekend effect, the number dropped below 700 for the first time in five days.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 25th at midnight that the number of new COVID-19 cases increased by 644, bringing the total to 118,887.

This is a decrease of 141 cases from the previous day's 785, dropping below 700 for the first time in five days since the 20th when there were 549 cases. However, this is attributed to a significant reduction in the number of tests conducted over the weekend compared to weekdays, so it is difficult to interpret this as a sign that the spread is slowing down.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The number of new cases had remained in the 700s for four consecutive days prior. In particular, on the 23rd and 24th, the numbers approached 800, raising concerns that a 'patient explosion' might be becoming visible. Looking at the infection routes of the new cases on this day, 603 were locally transmitted and 41 were imported.

Recent COVID-19 developments show that before the effects of the 'third wave' that began in mid-November last year had fully subsided, sporadic infections nationwide have continued, indicating the onset of the 'fourth wave.'

From the 19th of this month to today, the daily new cases over the past week were 532 → 549 → 731 → 735 → 797 → 785 → 644. During this period, there were two days in the 500s, one day in the 600s, and four days in the 700s.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.