LOC09:42
06:42 GMT
TOKYO, Jan 27 (KUNA) -- South Korea added 559 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the country's total caseload to 76,429, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The daily tally exceeded 500 for the first time in 10 days as infections at religious educational facilities have flared, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The country reported seven more deaths, raising the total to 1,378, the public health agency said. Of the locally transmitted cases, 120 came from Seoul and 137 were reported from Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital.
Since December, the government has been operating the Level 2.5 social distancing scheme in the greater Seoul area, which is the second highest in the country's five-tier scheme, and Level 2 rules in other areas. The measures are scheduled to be in place until January 31.
Some restrictions on facilities, including cafes, gyms and other indoor sites, have been eased, but the ban on private gatherings of five or more people and the restriction on business operations after 09:00 p.m. have been extended till the end of this month. (end)
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