DAILY COVID-19 CASES CLIMB BACK TO 500S

[Anchor Lead]

As of midnight of December 2, the nation reported 511 new COVID-19 infections. The daily increase climbed back over 500 for the first time in four days. Amid these re-surging cases, the annual College Scholastic Ability Test was held across the nation on Thursday. But a proctor for the exam had tested positive for COVID-19 so 18 other test supervisors from the same school were replaced urgently.

[Pkg]

Up until December 2, for the past week, the daily average COVID-19 infection numbers stood at some 427 in South Korea. The figure is well above the criteria for enforcing level 1.5 social distancing rules in most regions across the nation, except Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Jejudo Island. The government says the nation is standing at a critical juncture and this weekend will be a watershed in determining whether the spread will continue or slow down. While adding it will take more time before the effects of the recently strengthened social distancing rules materialize... the government promised to review additional anti-epidemic measures and get prepared to enforce them any time if found necessary. Amid this COVID-19 resurgence, a proctor for today’s state-administered college entrance exam tested positive in Daejeon yesterday. As a result, 18 other test supervisors from the same school were discharged from duty, as they had come into close contact with the patient in his 30s. Instead, back-up proctors were mobilized to fill their places. This high school was supposed to dispatch a total of 36 teachers as CSAT supervisors. Last night, an emergency sterilization operation was conducted at the school, designated as a test site.