Seoul: New Covid-19 cases in South Korea increased to 279 on Sunday, a five-month high, mainly due to a surge in church-related infections in the greater Seoul area.
This brought the country's total caseload to 15,318, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
Of the total, 267 were locally transmitted cases, reports Yonhap News Agency.
It marks the highest figure since March 8 when the new daily infections stood at 367 after hitting a record high of 909 on February 29, with Daegu and its neighbouring North Gyeongsang province at the center of the mass outbreak.
It also marked a three-digit number for the third straight day, following 103 infections on Friday and 166 on Saturday.
As of Sunday, infections tied to the Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul have increased to 249, while cases linked to the Woori Jeil Church in Yongin, south of Seoul, increased to 126.
Local authorities have ordered the churches' congregations to undergo Covid-19 tests.
Alarmed by a resurgence of infections in recent days, the government raised social distancing in Seoul and its neighbouring areas by one notch to Level 2 in the three-tier system Sunday for two weeks.
On Sunday, President Moon Jae-in warned of stern responses to unlawful acts by some church members, reports Yonhap News Agency.
"It is a clear challenge to the national disease control and prevention system, and an unforgivable act that threatens the lives of the people," Moon wrote on his Facebook page, adding the government will take "very stern and strong" measures even by resorting to compulsory means.
He said the coronavirus outbreak is at a serious stage, and the government will make all-out efforts to get the virus under control.
South Korea, meanwhile, reported no additional fatalities, keeping the death toll at 305.
For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App.
Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
'Post-Truth India': Chidambaram’s Catchphrase on Kashmir
A day after deal with UAE, Israel asked to choose between peace and conflict
Also Read
West Bank annexation suspended as UAE, Israel become 'friends'
Rise of BJP and Socio Political Status of Indian Muslims
New Challenges and Way Forward for Indian Muslims
Indian Muslims in 73rd year of Independence
Time to Introspect, not Mourn for Indian Muslims
Kamala Harris's Indian and African-Jamaican heritages create American dream
Kamala Harris is Biden's pick for US Vice President
Saudi Arabia-Pakistan ties strain again, this time over Kashmir
India Corona Update Today: 63,489 new cases take total to over 25 lakh
Maharashtra records one Corona death every 4 mins, 526 new cases each hr
Deeper Look: How Muslim rulers aided and built Hindu temples
Handover Jagannath Temple to Buddhists to 'undo past wrongs'
How US lost Southeast Asia to China
China has replaced India in Bangladesh: Expert
As anger ruled Bengaluru, Muslims form human chain to protect temple
Two die in police firing in Bengaluru after violent protests over FB post
