코로나19 신규환자 166명...중대본 회의 열어 수도권 거리두기 2단계 격상 여부 결정<br /><br />South Korea saw the highest number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases today in 5 months, with 166 new cases.<br />With the virus spreading fast mainly in metropolitan areas, the government has held an emergency meeting to discuss raising the social distancing level.<br />For more on this, we have Hong Yoo on the line.<br />So Yoo, tell us more.<br />Yes Dami, with 166 more COVID-19 cases confirmed today, South Korea now has a total of 15-thousand-39 cases.<br />And this is the biggest number observed since March 11, when dozens of people had caught the virus from a call center in Seoul.<br />The recent spike in cases is mostly due to community transmission within churches, traditional markets, and schools.<br />If you look at domestic transmissions, most of them are occurring in the metropolitan area.<br />Among the newly confirmed cases today, 72 were from Seoul, 67 from Gyeonggi-do province, and 6 from Incheon.<br />That is a total of 145 new cases just within the metropolitan area.<br />Then there are another 10 new cases from rural areas, and the remaining 11 are recent overseas arrivals.<br />Due to such statistics, there are worries that transmission will become faster and increase in the metropolitan areas.<br />In response, the government is expected to take the level of social distancing up to 2 from the current level 1.<br />And when is the decision expected?<br />Dami, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters and the results of the meeting will be briefed on at around 2:30 pm.<br />The government observed the status quo in a "grave" manner and has reviewed tightening social distancing by one notch in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do province.<br />Social distancing level 2 involves prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people indoors and more than 100 outdoors.<br />Sports games will have to proceed without audiences, and schools will have to do online classes.<br />Private companies will be recommended to suggest employees work from home or to work at flexible hours to limit the number of employees at the office.<br />If the social distancing level is raised, it is to be implemented from Sunday midnight.<br />That's all I have for now, back to you Dami.<br />
