309 New COVID-19 Cases Nationwide by 6 PM... 21 Fewer Than Yesterday

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Although the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea is slowing down, new confirmed cases continued nationwide on the 23rd.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, from midnight to 6 p.m. on that day, a total of 309 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide. This is 21 fewer than the same time the previous day.

The cases were reported as 223 (72.2%) in the metropolitan area and 86 (27.8%) in non-metropolitan areas.

By city and province, Seoul reported 117 cases, Gyeonggi 84, Incheon 22, Busan and Daegu 16 each, Gyeongnam 14, Gangwon 9, Gyeongbuk, Chungbuk, and Chungnam 8 each, Ulsan, Gwangju, and Jeonbuk 2 each, and Jeonnam 1. No cases were reported in Sejong or Jeju.

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 24th is expected to increase. Based on recent trends, it is expected to record in the mid to high 300s.

The 'third wave' that has been ongoing since mid-November last year is showing a recent decline. The number of new confirmed cases this month by day were 1027 → 820 → 657 → 1020 → 714 → 838 → 869 → 674 → 641 → 657 → 451 → 537 → 561 → 524 → 512 → 580 → 520 → 389 → 386 → 404 → 401 → 346 → 431, maintaining below 1000 except for two days.