eFM News

South Korea reported 528 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday and one additional death as concerns remained high over cluster infections and the spread of variant cases across the country.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said 506 local and 22 imported infections were confirmed in the last 24 hours.

The latest figures raised the total caseload to 132,818 and the death toll to 1,904.

Health authorities have been keeping a watchful eye on the trend in sporadic infections as various gatherings and events have increased to mark Family Month in May, which could result in an upsurge at any time.

Untraceable cases also continue to be a major concern as transmission routes were unknown for around 30 percent of new patients reported over the past week, according to the KDCA.

The virus reproduction rate has been hovering around one, meaning a patient may infect at least one other person.

So far, the country has recorded more than 800 coronavirus cases involving variants that have been spreading in Britain, South Africa and Brazil.

As social distancing rules and antivirus measures remain in place, including business restrictions and a ban on gatherings of five or more people, authorities are struggling to speed up vaccinations.

But the supply of COVID-19 vaccines have been tight, with the bulk of deliveries slated for the second half of the year.

Some 3.7 million people, or 7.3 percent of the population, have received at least one dose of a vaccine.

Among them, just over 1 million have been fully vaccinated.

South Korea is hoping to inoculate 13 million people by the end of June and achieve herd immunity by November.