South Korea adds over 1,000 cases; testing in Seoul

South Korea added another new 1,092 infections of the coronavirus, just a few cases shy of the record daily increase it set on Sunday, according to figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Wednesday.

The recent viral resurgence is erasing hard-won epidemiological gains and eroding public confidence in the government's ability to handle the outbreak.

The latest numbers, 1,060 domestic cases and 32 foreign cases, brought the national caseload to 52,550, with more than 13,130 cases added in the last two weeks alone.

Seventeen COVID-19 patients died in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 739 as concerns grow about a shortage in intensive care beds.

At least 284 of the country's 15,085 active patients were in serious or critical condition.

South Korea had been seen as a success story against COVID-19 after health workers managed to contain a major outbreak in its southeastern region in spring, when the majority of infections were linked to a single church congregation in Daegu city.

But critics say the country gambled on its own success by easing social distancing restrictions to the lowest tier during fall to nurse a bad economy, although health experts had warned about a viral surge during winter.

In the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, which is now being hit hardest by the virus, health workers are struggling mightily to track infections that are popping up from just about everywhere, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, churches, restaurants, prisons and army units.

The government has restored some social distancing restrictions in recent weeks and will clamp down on private social gatherings of five or more people during the coming holidays.

"Starting from tomorrow until January 3, a special quarantine week takes effect in order to manage virus risks around Christmas and New Year's Eve when we expect to see an increase in gatherings and movements of people," said Yoon Tae-ho, a senior South Korean Health Ministry official.

Restaurants could be fined if they accept large groups, ski resorts and national parks will be closed, and hotels will be prohibited from selling more than 50% of their rooms during the period.