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Today (31st), the number of new coronavirus confirmed cases is expected to increase more than yesterday, reaching around 500.

This is because group infections are continuing throughout the country, and in Seoul, a new group infection occurred, centered on saunas and telemarketing companies.



This is reporter Kim Ki-tae.



<Reporter> The



number of new corona19 confirmed cases nationwide until 9 o'clock last night was 439.



That's 58 more than the same time the day before.



As the final count closes at midnight, the number of new confirmed cases announced today is expected to be around 500.



In a sauna in Guro-gu, Seoul, after 4 employees were confirmed, the number of related confirmed patients increased to 17, and a telemarketing company in Seocho-gu, Seoul, also had 14 employees confirmed as of the 27th.



With the outbreak of a new outbreak, the number of new confirmed cases in Seoul exceeded 140, the highest in 11 days.



In Busan, an additional 26 people were confirmed in connection with the entertainment establishments where the group infection occurred earlier.



The cumulative number of confirmed cases for a new week increased to 109.



Meanwhile, health officials say some of the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine is being used for the first dose earlier.



We are also considering increasing the vaccination interval from 10 weeks to 12 weeks.



This is because we are going to hit more people in consideration of the supply and demand situation that has become unstable due to the competition for vaccines around the world.



He added that health authorities are not currently reviewing measures to restrict exports of domestically-produced vaccines, such as in Europe or India.