[Breaking] Around 400 Cases Today... Social Distancing and Ban on Gatherings Over 5 People Maintained Until the 31st

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 18th, the number of new confirmed cases as of midnight the previous day was recorded at 520.

The number has remained in the 500s for six consecutive days since the 12th.

The new confirmed cases to be announced as of midnight on this day are expected to fall below 500, lower than this figure.

The number of new confirmed cases, as preliminarily tallied by the quarantine authorities and local governments including Seoul from midnight to 9 p.m. the previous day, was 388.

This is 86 fewer than the 474 cases tallied at the same time the day before.

Considering the recent trend where the number of confirmed cases does not increase significantly during nighttime hours, the total may remain around 400 or in the low 400s.

If the number drops to the 400s, it will be exactly one week since the 11th (451 cases).

Among these, the number of locally transmitted cases, which is a key indicator for deciding social distancing levels, averaged 499 per day, falling below 500 for the first time since early last month when the third wave of the outbreak began to intensify.

Although the outbreak has somewhat subsided, the decline is very gradual, and small-scale infections through personal contacts, which are difficult for authorities to trace and respond to, are increasing, so the quarantine authorities remain vigilant.

Accordingly, the government has decided to maintain the current social distancing measures and the ban on private gatherings of five or more people for another two weeks.