South Korea records no new local coronavirus cases

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - South Korea’s fight against the coronavirus seems to have borne fruit as the country recorded no new local cases on Thursday.

It is first time in last 72 days that no local case of COVID-19 was found in the country, according to the South Korean president.

President Moon Jae-in applauded people for helping curb the spread of the virus that has claimed 247 lives in the country.

"Zero locally confirmed COVID-19 patients [for the first time] in 72 days. Zero infections in the 14 days since the general elections. This is the power of the Republic of Korea and the South Korean people," Moon said in a statement posted on his twitter handle.

South Korea held general elections on April 15 in which Moon-led ruling party registered a landslide victory.

According to Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the country found four more coronavirus cases, all of whom are imported, taking the tally to 10,765.

The first case of the virus in the country was detected on Jan. 20. The cases peaked at the end of February.

South Korea has imposed strict social distancing measures to stem the spread of the virus in the country. It barred people from gathering and also asked religious places to maintain lowest attendance.

Almost 80% of the infections were related to clusters in the country, according to Yonhap.

Authorities also closed educational institutions and shifted to online classes.

As South Korea is celebrating Buddha's birthday today, May Day on Friday and Children's Day on coming Tuesday, health officials urged people to continue following anti-COVID-19 measures.