485 Confirmed Cases by 6 PM... 600s Expected Tomorrow as Well

Average Daily Local Cases 590.7
Exceeding Social Distancing Level 2.5 Range

On the 11th, with 614 new COVID-19 cases reported, marking three consecutive days of over 600 cases, the domestic terminal at Gimpo Airport in Seoul is bustling with travelers. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] As the spread of COVID-19 continues, confirmed cases are surging nationwide on the 11th as well.

According to health authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, a total of 485 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported from midnight to 6 p.m. on this day. This is 52 more than the same time the previous day (433 cases). By region, 324 cases (66.8%) were from the metropolitan area, and 161 cases (33.2%) were from non-metropolitan areas.

By city and province, the numbers are as follows: Gyeonggi 160, Seoul 149, Busan 42, Ulsan 33, Daejeon 17, Incheon and Gyeongnam 15 each, Daegu 14, Chungbuk 11, Jeonbuk 9, Gangwon and Chungnam 6 each, Gyeongbuk 5, Jeonnam 2, and Jeju 1. No confirmed cases have been reported yet in Gwangju and Sejong.

The number of new confirmed cases expected to be announced at midnight on the 12th is anticipated to reach the 600s. On the previous day, 181 additional cases were reported after 6 p.m., closing at a final count of 614.

Over the past week (April 5?11), the daily new confirmed cases were 473 → 477 → 668 → 700 → 671 → 677 → 614, averaging 611 cases per day. The key indicator for adjusting the 'social distancing' level, the daily average of locally transmitted cases, stands at 590.7, exceeding the 2.5 social distancing level range (nationwide 400?500 or more).

Regarding major outbreak cases, in the metropolitan area, new cluster infections have appeared through various channels such as schools, academies, workplaces, and companies. In non-metropolitan areas, cluster outbreaks linked to academies and family gatherings have been confirmed. Related to a Busan entertainment bar, 19 more confirmed cases were added, bringing the cumulative total to 381.