South Korea reports fewest new coronavirus cases since February 29 peak

[snoop1130]

South Korea reports fewest new coronavirus cases since February 29 peak

By Hyonhee Shin

 

A couple, wearing masks to prevent contracting the coronavirus, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), walk in a shopping district in Seoul, South Korea, March 23, 2020. REUTERS/Heo Ran

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea reported on Monday its lowest number of new coronavirus cases and the extended downward trend in daily infections since the peak on Feb. 29 has boosted hopes that Asia’s largest outbreak outside China may be abating.

 

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said there were 64 new cases on Monday, taking the national tally to 8,961. The death toll rose by one to 110.

 

The new numbers marked the 12th day in a row the country has posted new infections of around 100 or less, compared with the peak of 909 cases recorded on Feb. 29.

 

But officials urged even greater vigilance as imported cases and new, small outbreaks continued to emerge, such as in nursing homes, churches and crowded workplaces.

 

“We don’t give much meaning to numbers yet, but as there are some fluctuations despite a declining trend, our top priority is to prevent sporadic group infections and repatriated cases”, said Yoon Tae-ho, director-general for public health policy at the health ministry.

 

Of the new cases, 13 were from overseas travellers who tested positive after the government toughened border checks and imposed a two-week mandatory quarantine for all long-term arrivals from Europe.

 

South Korea began taking a 15-day intensive social distancing policy on Sunday, including restrictions on high-risk events such as religious, sports and entertainment gatherings.

 

Yoon said most religious venues turned to online services and most others complied with new rules on distance between people at gatherings.

 

But a church in the capital Seoul flouted the new rules, and members of its congregation scuffled with police, shoving and hurling abuse at officers who went there to check.

 

Mayor Park Won-soon called the behaviour at the Sarang Jeil Church “unacceptable” and ordered its closure for two weeks after it held a service on Sunday, during which more than 2,000 people sat close to each other, some without masks.

 

The church also failed to take a list of people attending the service, he said. Calls to the church for comment were unanswered.

 

“It was an act that seriously threatens the safety of not only the attendees but our entire community”, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said. “We’re in a state of emergency that amounts to a war, and the administrative orders must not be taken as empty threats.”

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-03-23

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[Mavideol]

SK and Japan operations should be a good learning way/example to deal with the nasty virus.... keep you eyes (& brain) open Thailand

[Tug]

Great news keep it up nice to see good governance making a difference 

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

I THINK THAT WHAT we are seeing with thailand and other asian countries like s. korea

and singapore, is really interesting, even mystical.

you see, by scientific thinking, thailand had to be hit hard allready, with thousands of dead

and tens of thousands of sick people filling the hospitals. that's because thailand never closed it's

borders to china and there are so many chinese and other nationals visiting thailand.

one explanation can be that this virus does not like tropical weather, but still, it does not make sense,

because in s. korea it is very cold not, and still we don't see the italian nightmare there.

 

very very interesting. maybe this virus is god sent to punish only some nations?

 

and as for your wonder weather thailand chose it, i think the answer is not. 

i think that thailand just can't afford measures like total decree, or mass checking

of the population. simply can't afford it, because of social and economic reasons.

anyway now it is too late, according to "sceintific " thinking (because thailnad

had to look like italy now, if thinking "rationally").

let's all hope and pray thay thailand will stay away from this virus.

GOD BLESS THAILAND !!