국내 코로나 확진자 300명 이상으로 치솟아.. 사회적 거리두기 2단계로 격상하나?<br /><br />We start our midday newscast with the COVID-19 situation here in South Korea.<br />The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has surpassed 300 for the first time in almost three months.<br />Our Kim Yeon-seung is on the line to give us the details.<br />Yeon-seung what can you tell us?<br />Well Mark, the numbers aren't looking pretty.<br />South Korea on Wednesday reported 313 cases, 245 of which were local transmissions.<br />This is the highest spike the country has seen since late August.<br />On August 29th, the country reported 323 cases, and since then,... health authorities have managed to keep the number below 300.<br />Most of the infections since then have been concentrated in the densely populated capital region.<br />On Wednesday, 181 of the local transmissions were from the greater Seoul area.<br />Seoul city alone saw 91 cases.<br />Some recent clusters in the capital include a sports facility in Seongdong-gu district, a sauna in Seocho-gu district, and a hiking club from the capital region.<br />Health authorities warn that the latest infections are popping up unexpectedly and sporadically all over the region from small gatherings and frequently visited places like saunas and gyms.<br />Should the number of daily infections stay over 300 for a week straight, the distancing measures will be bumped up to level 2.<br />Under level 2, entertainment facilities like bars, clubs, and singing rooms will have to close down, and restaurants and cafes can't serve customers after 9 p.m. except for take-out orders.<br />That's all I have for now, but I'll be back later to address other pressing questions about why the nation is seeing this sudden spike.<br />Back to you, Mark.<br />
