The number of new coronavirus infections reported in South Korea on Wednesday reached 1,571, up nearly 500 from the previous day.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said 1,556 additional cases of local transmission and 15 imported infections confirmed in the last 24 hours.
The tally marked a jump of 498 from Tuesday's figure.
There were also nine additional virus related fatalities.
The country has recorded 346,088 cases and 2,698 deaths from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
Health authorities attributed the latest spike in cases to a rebound in testing, which usually falls over the weekend.
With social distancing rules still in effect and vaccination rates rising, officials believe the spread of the virus will get under control.
So far, more than 78 percent of people in South Korea have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and over 66 percent have been fully vaccinated.
The government expects over 70 percent of the population to be fully vaccinated by the end of this month, which is one of its preconditions for a return to "normal" daily activities.
