(Fighting New Coronary Pneumonia) 3,736 confirmed cases in South Korea

China News Service, Seoul, March 1st: Gwanghwamun's rally was suspended due to 3,736 confirmed cases in South Korea

China News Agency reporter Zeng Yan

As of 16:00 on March 1, the cumulative number of confirmed cases of new crown pneumonia in South Korea reached 3736. Cases in the capital, Seoul, continue to increase, and routine weekend gatherings by civil society in Gwanghwamun have been suspended.

On March 1, the people walked through Gwanghwamun Square wearing masks. Photo by China Press Agency

Confirmed patients continue to surge in epidemic prevention supplies

According to the report of the Central Epidemic Prevention Counterpart of South Korea, from 16:00 on February 29 to 16:00 on March 1, 586 newly diagnosed patients were found in Korea, with a total of 3736 confirmed patients and 14 severely ill patients; a total of 18 deaths.

Of the newly confirmed cases on the day, 469 cases occurred in Daegu, and a total of 2705 cases were confirmed in the area. The number of confirmed cases in Seoul increased by 10 a day, and a total of 87 cases were confirmed.

The surge in patients has led to tight supplies of epidemic prevention supplies. Officials regularly put on masks in supermarkets in Seoul and other places, but they are still in short supply.

On March 1, outside a supermarket in Jongno-gu, Seoul, people lined up to buy masks. Photo by China Press Agency

The reporter saw on the same day outside a supermarket in a farmer's association in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that people lined up a few hundred meters long to "grab masks," and a sign told "one person can buy six." The reporter also found in the "E-mart" supermarket that the masks on the shelves were sold out, and the notice board marked "Provided tomorrow at 15:00".

The South Korean education department announced that it will put 5.8 million masks purchased in elementary and middle schools and other places on the market for public use.

According to the Korean Consulate General in Shanghai, the Shanghai Municipal Government donated 500,000 masks to Daegu, Korea and Gyeongsangbuk-do, and will arrive in South Korea on March 2. Earlier, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea has donated a batch of mask supplies to Daegu.

In response to the shortage of beds, the Korean medical community claims that it is difficult for hospitals to treat all patients, but it will cause cross infection if the mildly ill people are isolated at home, and it is recommended that the mildly ill people be concentrated in professional medical institutions.

Gwanghwamun rally suspended, Seoul mayor calls for arrest of "Xintiandi" founder

Following the outbreak in South Korea, Seoul City demanded that the rally be stopped in several squares, and some civil society groups resisted.

On March 1st, the reporter saw at the Gwanghwamun Gate that a broadcast car in the center of the square played a circular of the "No Rally" statement, and a number of notice boards were set up along the street, saying that "if the rally continues, you will face a fine, etc." There are large gatherings here.

A bulletin board was set up in Gwanghwamun Square demanding "stop the rally". Photo by China Press Agency

But in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, civil society still organizes joint worship services. Earlier, South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Park Yang-woo appealed to the religious community to cooperate in epidemic prevention and suspend the assembly.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-sun posted a social media statement on March 1 stating that he asked the founder of "New World Church" Lee Man-hee to apologize to all citizens, and urged the followers to cooperate with the inspection. He said that if the church does not take action, the city of Seoul will initiate proceedings against him on multiple counts.

Park Yuan-chun also “speaks out” South Korea ’s Attorney General Yin Xiyue, saying that the prosecutor should play a role and arrest Li Wanxi.

The Korean Ministry of Disease Management stated on March 1 that in Daegu, 73% of the confirmed patients were related to the "Xintiandi Church". The Korean side is currently testing more than 200,000 church members, and it is expected that the number of confirmed cases will continue to increase. (Finish)