South Korea Records 583 New Corona Virus Cases, The Highest Since March

JAKARTA - South Korea reported 583 cases of the new coronavirus on Thursday, the highest since March, when it grappled with a third wave of infections that forced it to reimpose strict social restrictions.

The daily tally exceeded 500 for the first time since March 6, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), as South Korea battled the first major COVID-19 epidemic outside of China.

The first wave emerged from religious sect gatherings but most of the latest cases occurred in offices, schools, gyms and small gatherings in the wider community around Seoul, making them harder to track and hold.

"COVID-19 has arrived right beside you and your family," Health Minister Park Neung-hoo told a televised meeting of health officials.

The government reinstated strict social restrictions in the capital Seoul and surrounding areas this week.