해외유입 43명 110일만에 최다...공항, 항만 검역 강화
South Korea reported 62 new coronavirus cases on Monday... and among them, 43 were imported cases -- that's the highest since March.
In recent weeks, the number of imported cases has surpassed the number of local transmissions,... so the authorities are once again ramping up quarantine at airports and sea ports.
Our Lee Kyung-eun starts us off.
South Korea is seeing a new trend in COVID-19 -- a sharp increase in imported cases.
"In the past two weeks, 42-point-7 percent of cases were imported while 35.5 percent were local transmissions. The percentage of imported cases has been rising."
The trend continued on Monday,... even breaking a record.
The KCDC says, of 62 newly confirmed cases, 43 were imported -- the most since late March when there were 51 of them.
By region, seven were from the Americas, four from Europe, one from Africa... and the most -- 31 -- were from Asia.
An in-depth analysis of these imported cases is underway.
But as far as last week is concerned, about 70 percent of the imported cases were foreign nationals.
And they were visiting Korea for various reasons: short-term visits traveling or looking for work, long term for studying, working... or visiting family.
In the case of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, most of them were South Koreans visiting their home country,... while for the Philippines, it was mostly crew on cargo ships.
To prevent these cases from spreading into local communities, the country has once again ramped up its quarantine measures.
"Starting Monday, we are requiring all foreign nationals entering from high-risk countries to submit a document showing they've tested negative within the last 48 hours. Also, we are tightening quarantine at sea ports by sending all foreign entrants to a temporary isolation center."
The requirement for a test is new,...but South Korea had already been restricting visas, flights, and the entry of those coming in from high-risk countries.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.
