국내 코로나19 신규 확진자 70명…이틀 연속 두 자릿수
Our starting point tonight: the virus tally in the nation below 100 for the second day.
The number stands at 70 today, but health authorities in South Korea warn that traveling across the country during the Chuseok holiday will lead to the spread of the virus nationwide.
Meanwhile, one of the nation's biotech companies has begun phase 2 trials for a Covid-19 plasma treatment.
Jang Tae-hyun leads our coverage tonight.
South Korea reported 70 new COVID-19 cases on Monday: 55 local and 15 imported.
It's the second straight day that there's been below one hundred cases, following a month of daily infections in the triple digits.
However, a potentially large cluster infection could be emerging in Busan.
12 more cases have been reported related to a university in the city.
The first patient was confirmed on Saturday, and other students living in same dorm, attending same student club and those in the same major have tested positive.
As the Chuseok holiday is approaching, health authorities say people must keep up their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
"The top priority during the Chuseok holiday is controlling the outbreak. Large-scale movement of people will be the reason for the spread of the virus nationwide."
Health authorities are planning to announce specific virus prevention guidelines for the holiday season this Friday.
Those will include details about distancing measures that will be in effect from September 28th to October 11th.
Meanwhile, South Korean biotech company GC Pharma said Monday it has begun plasma treatment for COVID-19 patients in phase two clinical trials.
It aims to assess the efficacy and safety of the treatment and find the appropriate dose for 60 patients who either have pneumonia, are elderly or have underlying diseases.
As of Monday, South Korea reported two more deaths, raising the death toll to 385.
The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country stands at 23-thousand and 45.
Jang Tae-hyun, Arirang News.
