South Korea imposes more severe restrictions to prevent COVID-19 spread

South Korea on Monday said that about 1,100 new coronavirus (COVID-19)  infections have been recorded, in conjunction with the introduction of the country’s strictest measures in Seoul, in an effort to stop the worst outbreak of the virus ever, Reuters reported.

Data from the South Korean  showed that this was the highest number ever recorded on a Sunday, although it was less than three consecutive days of record 1,378 infections on Friday.

The new wave of infections has so far caused fewer serious cases and deaths, compared to previous waves, with many older and more vulnerable South Koreans now vaccinated against the virus.

This brings the total number of casualties in South Korea to 169,146, in addition to 2,044 deaths,  lower than in many other industrialized countries.

However, health authorities have expressed concerns about the growing number of infected young people who have not yet been vaccinated, and the spread of the highly contagious Delta strain in recent outbreaks.

As of Monday, the Government had imposed the strictest levels of social spacing  in Seoul and neighbouring areas for the first time, including a ban on the gathering of more than two people after 6 p.m.

E.M