South Korea’s Covid-19 Cases Increase By 600 In 1 Day, Total Number At 4,812
UPDATE (3 Mar, 3.25pm): South Korea declares “war” against Covid-19, says President Moon Jae-in. According to The Guardian, government organisations are moving into a “24-hour emergency situation room system”, as numbers hit close to 5,000 on 3 Mar.
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South Korea has been seeing spikes in the number of Covid-19 cases daily and now records the highest number of Covid-19 cases after China.
On Tuesday (3 Mar), the country’s increase in Covid-19 cases in a day once again hit a record high at 600.
Furthermore, 3 more deaths attributed to the virus was announced.
The total number of cases is inching closer to 5,000 while the death toll stands at 34.
Cases are concentrated in Daegu
According to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), there are currently 4,812 Covid-19 patients, the highest outside the epicenter, China.
Out of the 600 new cases uncovered by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 519 patients are from Daegu.
Half of South Korea Covid-19 cases linked to Shincheonji Church
A member of a religious sect in South Korea was infected with Covid-19 and remained adamant in attending church events at a Daegu branch.
This facilitated the spread of Covid-19 among 200,000 people within the organisation.
Currently, it is reported that half of the reported cases can be traced back to Shincheonji Church.
Church leader apologised to nation
On Monday (2 Mar), the leader of the religious group, Lee Man-hee, made a grand gesture of kneeling down publicly in an apology for his role in the outbreak.
Though so, Seoul mayor Park Won-soon filed a criminal complaint against Lee and 12 other church leaders. This is on grounds of murder and violation of disease control acts.
He believes that the crisis could be averted if the religious leaders cooperated with authorities in curbing the spread of Covid-19.
More than 3,100 Covid-19 deaths globally
There are also 3 new deaths reported in South Korea, bringing the death toll to 34.
Around the world, more than 3,100 patients have died as a result of the virus.
Following mandatory medical check-ups for the church members, more cases are expected to be uncovered.
We hope that efforts to contain the virus will pay off soon.
Featured image adapted from Tibetan Review.
