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Today (19th), the number of new coronavirus confirmed cases is expected to be around 500, but it seems to have to take into account the impact of the large number of tests over the weekend. Group infections are still continuing in vulnerable facilities, and cases of Indian mutant virus infection have also been confirmed for the first time in Korea.



Reporter Han Ji-yeon reports.



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9 o'clock last night, the total number of new corona19 confirmed patients was 481.



That's 142 people less than the data at the same time the day before.



The number of new confirmed cases announced today is expected to drop to 500 in six days, but the quarantine authorities are tense as cases of infection continue in vulnerable facilities such as churches and restaurants.



In a church in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, the number of infected patients increased to 23 after the first confirmed cases came out on the 15th.



In a restaurant in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do, the virus spread from customers to family and acquaintances, and within four days, 36 people were confirmed.



The presence of hidden sources of infection in local communities also makes quarantine difficult.



[Son Young-rae / Head of Social Strategy Division, Central Accident Control Headquarters: The proportion of infected people in the target group, which is unknown to us, is increasing than infections in places where contacts are quarantined.]



Here, the first case of infection with the Indian mutant virus in Korea is confirmed. I am worried about it.



A total of nine people have been confirmed to have been infected so far, and quarantine authorities predicted that the Indian mutant virus could make the vaccine less effective.



However, he explained that it is not yet known whether the transmission power or fatality rate is as strong as other mutant viruses.