<Anchor> As



of Monday, the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 was in the mid-1,300 range, recording the highest number again. In most of the non-metropolitan areas where the spread of the virus is concerned, from today (27th), the distance is raised to three levels and implemented.



Reporter Kim Yong-tae reports.



<Reporter> The number of



confirmed cases related to the soccer club of a middle school in Dongjak-gu, Seoul has risen to 19.



After the first confirmed case on the 22nd, 17 students and 2 faculty members were infected one after another.



Group infections are continuing across the country, including at a manufacturer in Changwon, Gyeongnam, and Taekwondo in Daejeon.



The number of confirmed cases per day has already been in the four-digit number of more than 1,000 for the third week.



The proportion of non-metropolitan areas, which was below 20% at the beginning of the fourth wave, increased to around 40% for two days in a row.



This is the reason why we are applying 3 steps of distancing in non-metropolitan areas starting today.



In the tier 3 area, cafes and restaurants are limited to 10:00 p.m. and private gatherings are limited to 4 people.



However, 13 sites such as Sangju, Gunwi, and Uiseong in Gyeongbuk will remain in Stage 1, and 23 in Boryeong in Chungnam and Gimje in Jeonbuk will remain in Stage 2.



[Sohn Young-rae / Head of Social Strategy Team at Central Accident Remediation Headquarters: 36 cities and counties, including rural and fishing villages with small populations and few cases, do not raise the level.] In



Daejeon and Yangyang, Gangwon, the highest level is applied in Daejeon and Yangyang, Gangwon, where the spread is strong

.

It's possible.



The highly contagious delta mutation was 51%, accounting for more than half of all confirmed cases.



[Lee Sang-won / Head of Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team, Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters: In Korea, we can now say that the delta mutation is the dominant type. Response rules are classic methods such as observing quarantine rules and expanding social distancing… .] The



estimated number of breakthrough infections in which the inoculated person is infected has increased by nearly 780, and among the 72 confirmed mutated viruses, the delta mutation was overwhelmingly large with 54.



The government emphasized that even if a breakthrough infection occurs, the chances of becoming seriously ill or dying are low once the vaccination is complete.



(Video editing: Kim Jong-mi, CG: Jeong Hyeon-jeong, VJ: Oh Se-gwan)