As of 6 PM, 4,149 New Cases Nationwide... Highest Midday Tally Ever Recorded

1,555 More Than Yesterday
Seoul Metropolitan Area 2,897...Non-Metropolitan Area 1,252

The first confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Omicron variant have occurred in Seoul. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 7th, three foreign students attending Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Kyung Hee University, and Seoul National University were found to be infected with the Omicron variant. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will operate facilities such as libraries included in the students' movement paths on a limited basis until the 11th and will switch all classes to online format until the 14th. The photo shows the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies campus on that day. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] As of 6 PM on the 7th, more than 4,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide. This is the largest number of confirmed cases recorded since the 6 PM interim tally began. Accordingly, the number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 8th is expected to far exceed the previous record of 5,352 cases set on the 4th.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, a total of 4,149 confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported across 17 cities and provinces nationwide from midnight to 6 PM on the same day.

This is 1,555 more than the 2,594 cases recorded nationwide at 6 PM the previous day, and 1,676 more than the 2,473 cases recorded at the same time a week ago on the 30th of last month.

The surge in confirmed cases appears to be due to the number of COVID-19 tests returning to weekday levels after the weekend and holidays.

With time remaining until midnight when the tally closes, the number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 8th could exceed 5,000 and reach the 6,000 range.

Of the new confirmed cases, 2,897 (69.8%) were reported in the Seoul metropolitan area, and 1,252 (30.2%) were reported in non-metropolitan areas.

By city and province, the numbers are as follows: Seoul 1,141, Gyeonggi 1,404, Incheon 352, Busan 240, Chungnam 145, Gyeongbuk 128, Gyeongnam 123, Daegu 119, Daejeon 116, Gangwon 105, Jeonbuk 61, Jeonnam 55, Chungbuk 50, Gwangju 46, Jeju 45, Ulsan 12, and Sejong 7. Confirmed cases were reported in all 17 cities and provinces. Seoul also recorded the highest number of cases ever reported at the same time.