Coronavirus: South Korea on edge with rise in unlinked cases, patients in critical condition

The 235 new cases reported on Tuesday brought the country’s total to 20,182 as officials warned about an increase in unlinked cases

The government unveiled plans to increase spending aggressively for the next few years after the country’s economy shrank in the last quarter

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Recovered Covid-19 patients donate blood plasma in Daegu, South Korea. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:02pm, 1 Sep 2020Updated: 2:52pm, 1 Sep 2020

South Korea’s daily new coronavirus cases edged down for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday but authorities expressed concern over a rise in untraceable transmissions and a growing number of patients in critical condition.

The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 235 new Covid-19 infections on Tuesday, bringing the country’s total to 20,182 cases and 324 deaths.

Tuesday’s numbers mark a slight decline from 248 cases recorded the previous day.

Acting Seoul City mayor Suh Jung-hyup said the ratio of cases with unknown origin among diagnosed infections in the Seoul metropolitan area has increased from 7.1 per cent to 31.9 per cent over the past two weeks.

“This phenomenon serves as a strong warning that we may contract the virus at any place as we are engaging in daily activities in normal circumstances,” Suh said.

The government has imposed eight-day, stricter social distancing measures in the greater capital area until September 6, restricting dining at restaurants and shutting down churches, nightspots, gyms and after-school academies to contain the virus.