A health care worker, wearing protective gear, attends to citizens seeking to get tested for COVID-19 in southern Seoul. (Photo: Yonhap News)
South Korea has reported 532 new cases of COVID-19 and four more virus-related deaths.
Daily new cases fell back below 600 for the first time in six days, mainly due to fewer tests over the weekend, amid growing concerns over a potential fouth wave of the pandemic.
Monday's figure was also sharply down from 672 the previous day.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency confirmed 512 local infections from the last 24 hours, more than half of which were from the capital region, and 20 additional imported cases.
The country's COVID tally rose to 114,646.
The death toll hit 1,801, while the fatality rate stood at 1.57 percent.
As part of efforts to curb the spread of infections, from Monday, operations of entertainment establishments are banned in the greater Seoul area and the southeastern port city of Busan.
Social distancing rules, including a ban on private gatherings of more than four people, will remain in place through May 2.
Health authorities said they will also continue to keep close tabs on new coronavirus variants from overseas that are believed to be more contagious.
On Sunday, nine cases of the Indian variant were detected, in addition to variants from Britain, South Africa and Brazil.
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