However, China has seen a rise in imported cases. On Sunday, it reported 46 imported cases, 14 of which were in Shanghai, while 13 were in Beijing, the Chinese capital.
The country has introduced several measures to prevent another major spread of the virus, including directing all international flights bound for Beijing, its largest air traffic hub, to one of 12 other airports. Passengers will undergo health screenings at these airports before being allowed to fly to Beijing, Reuters reports.
South Korea, which has Asia’s largest number of cases (nearly 8,900 confirmed infections), also seems to have managed to slow the spread of the virus.
To date, more than 3,100 people in South Korea have recovered from the virus. On Sunday, the country reported 64 new cases, its lowest number since the peak of the outbreak in the country about a month ago, Reuters reports.
The latest figure also marks the 12th consecutive day South Korea has reported less than 100 new cases, a dramatic drop compared with its peak figure of 909 new cases reported on February 29, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control (KCDC).
The country has tested more than 316,000 people as of March 20, according to Statista, and increased testing is deemed to be a key component of its mitigation measures.
“We don’t give much meaning to numbers yet, but as there are some fluctuations despite a declining trend, our top priority is to prevent sporadic group infections and repatriated cases”, said Yoon Tae-ho, the director-general of public health policy for the country’s health ministry.
Fourteen of the latest new cases in South Korea were reported to be imported cases. From Sunday, the government introduced tightened mitigation measures to prevent another spike in cases, including a mandatory quarantine for all travelers from Europe, the KCDC confirms.
A 15-day social distancing policy was imposed in the country from Sunday, including restrictions on religious and sports events as well as entertainment gatherings. Most religious venues have now been turned into online services, according to Yoon.
The majority of the cases in South Korea were linked to a religious group known as the Shincheonji, Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (SCJ). Several infected people were reported to be members of the group, which holds mass services with members sitting in close proximity for long periods of time.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the recovery curve compared to the infection curve of the virus.
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