S. Korea sees 69 new cases on Thursday; extended weekend could bring wave of infections

신규확진 69명, 다시 두 자릿수로…추석 감염 확산 우려 여전Our starting point tonight: South Korea's daily coronavirus tally below one hundred today at 69...but health authorities remain vigilant assessing the impact from the long Chuseok holidays and with another long weekend coming up that starts tomorrow.The nation will decide whether to extend the tougher social distancing guidelines that have been in place across the country since late August... this weekend.Bae Eun-ji leads our coverage tonight.South Korea reported 69 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday,... of them, 60 were locally transmitted and 9 were from overseas.It's a significant drop compared to the day before,... when the number of new cases broke the 100-mark after six straight days of double-digit figures.But officials warned against complacency as cluster infections continue to be seen mainly at military bases and hospitals."With no vaccine yet, strictly abiding by the basic precautionary measures may be the only way to stop the spread. We ask you to wash your hands more often today."Health authorities are especially concerned over the upcoming 3-day weekend,... while the so-called "silent transmission" from the Chuseok holiday may still be spreading nationwide.They are most worried about the possibility of mass rallies in Seoul on Friday, even though the city has completely banned rallies of 10 or more people.Seoul city reported Thursday that it is currently reviewing its plans for subway trains on Friday to not stop at four stations near Gwanghwamun.The government will announce on Sunday the new social distancing measures that will take effect next week, once the current "special virus prevention period" ends.The Education Ministry is also planning to announce new rules for schools.Right now, only small schools of less than 60 students are allowed to let all students come to school,... but the ministry may ease the restriction by raising this number to 300.The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 24-thousand-422.There were two more deaths, raising the death toll to 427.Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.