Korea research institute of chemical technology, Research institute in Daejeon, South Korea

Seoul, Aug 16 New Covid-19 cases in South Korea increased to 279 on Sunday, a five-month high, mainly due to a surge in church-related infections in the greater Seoul area.This brought the country's total caseload to 15,318, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).Of the total, 267 were locally transmitted cases, reports Yonhap News Agency.It marks the highest figure since March 8 when the new daily infections stood at 367 after hitting a record high of 909 on February 29, with Daegu and its neighbouring North Gyeongsang province at the center of the mass outbreak.It also marked a three-digit number for the third straight day, following 103 infections on Friday and 166 on Saturday.As of Sunday, infections tied to the Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul have increased to 249, while cases linked to the Woori Jeil Church in Yongin, south of Seoul, increased to 126.Local authorities have ordered the churches' congregations to undergo Covid-19 tests.Alarmed by a resurgence of infections in recent days, the government raised social distancing in Seoul and its neighbouring areas by one notch to Level 2 in the three-tier system Sunday for two weeks.On Sunday, President Moon Jae-in warned of stern responses to unlawful acts by some church members, reports Yonhap News Agency."It is a clear challenge to the national disease control and prevention system, and an unforgivable act that threatens the lives of the people," Moon wrote on his Facebook page, adding the government will take "very stern and strong" measures even by resorting to compulsory means.He said the coronavirus outbreak is at a serious stage, and the government will make all-out efforts to get the virus under control.South Korea, meanwhile, reported no additional fatalities, keeping the death toll at 305.( With inputs from IANS )

Korea Research Institute Of Chemical TechnologyFOLLOW

Korea research institute of chemical technology, Latest News

Seoul, Aug 29 South Korea reported 323 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, raising the total to 19,400. With ... ...

Seoul, Aug 28 Scientists have urged people with atrial fibrillation the most common heart rhythm disorder to quit smoking ... ...

Seoul, Aug 24 South Korea reported 266 new coronavirus cases on Monday, raising the total number of infections to ... ...

Seoul, Aug 23 LG Electronics on Sunday introduced a new mid-range 5G smartphone as the South Korean tech ... ...

Seoul, Aug 23 South Korea on Sunday reported 397 new Covid-19 cases, the highest since March 7, raising ... ...

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie recently said that she and her six kids are doing well in quarantine, but she fears for other children who are trapped in abusive homes. ...

Seoul, Aug 17 New Covid-19 cases linked to a church in Seoul continued to surge on Monday, not only ... ...

Seoul, Aug 16 New Covid-19 cases in South Korea increased to 279 on Sunday, a five-month high, mainly ... ...