As of 6 PM, 665 COVID-19 Cases Confirmed, Up 61 from Previous Day... Around 800 Expected Tomorrow

As COVID-19 cases surged in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, the current social distancing measures were extended by one week. On the 1st, a notice stating "No gatherings of 5 or more people" was posted on the entrance door of a restaurant in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, from 0:00 to 18:00 on the 1st, a total of 665 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide. This is 61 more than the 604 cases recorded at the same time the previous day.

Among them, 557 cases (83.8%) were from the metropolitan area, and 108 cases (16.2%) were from non-metropolitan areas.

By city and province, the numbers are as follows: Seoul 308, Gyeonggi 229, Busan 26, Chungnam 21, Incheon 20, Gyeongnam 13, Daejeon 12, Ulsan 7, Daegu 6, Gangwon 5, Gyeongbuk, Jeonbuk, and Chungbuk each 4, Jeonnam and Jeju each 2, Gwangju and Sejong each 1. Confirmed cases were reported in all 17 cities and provinces nationwide.

Since there is still time left until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced as of 0:00 on the 2nd is expected to increase further, reaching the high 700s or possibly around 800.

The previous day saw an increase of 158 cases after 18:00, closing at a final total of 762 cases.

From the 25th of last month to this day, the daily new confirmed cases over the past week were 634 → 668 → 614 → 501 → 595 → 794 → 762, averaging about 653 cases per day.

Among these, the key indicator for adjusting social distancing levels, the daily average of locally transmitted cases, is about 610.

Regarding major cluster infection cases, the cumulative confirmed cases related to a restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and seven English academies in the metropolitan area have increased to 242. Among them, 9 cases were confirmed to be infected with the 'Delta variant' of Indian origin, known for its higher transmissibility.

Additionally, new cluster outbreaks have occurred nationwide, including an indoor sports facility in Gangseo-gu, Seoul (cumulative 12 cases), a second case at a restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul (21 cases), a restaurant in Seocho-gu, Seoul (14 cases), a coin karaoke room in Namdong-gu, Incheon (10 cases), and a high school in Yangju-si, Gyeonggi (27 cases).

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