신규확진 540명...정부 "아스트라제네카와 백신 계약…타업체 계약 내주께 발표"<br /><br />Meanwhile, the daily virus tally in the country remained above 500 today. But, in some weclome news, health authorities say the government has reached a deal with vaccine maker AstraZeneca.<br />Min Suk-hyen reports.<br />South Korea reported 540 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday… the second straight day with more than five-hundred cases.<br />Of Thursday's cases, 516 were locally transmitted and only 24 were from overseas.<br />More than 80 percent of the newly confirmed cases were concentrated in the greater Seoul area ... with the capital reporting 260 infections, while Gyeonggi-do Province and Incheon saw 137 and 22 cases, respectively.<br />This now brings the country's total cases to over 35-thousand.<br />Cluster infections have been reported in multiple spots, including schools, hospitals and a call center in Seoul's Gangnam-gu district.<br />Health officials warn that continued outbreaks could lead to an explosive increase in the number of coronavirus patients....and urge the public to adhere to strict social distancing measures.<br />"Infections are spreading nationwide through various channels, mostly affecting working age groups... Even the slightest sign of complacency could lead to a spike in cases."<br />The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients rose to 117, after 16 more were added from the previous day.<br />The country's death toll for the virus increased by three to 529.<br />Meanwhile, health authorities say that the government has completed an agreement with AstraZeneca to purchase its vaccine.<br />Details of the contract will be shared next week once negotiations with other vaccine developers have been finalized.<br />South Korea has been working to purchase COVID-19 vaccines from five major firms, such as Pfizer and Moderna, which are in their third phase of clinical trials.<br />Min Suk-hyen, Arirang News.<br />
