정부 "이번이 수도권 확산세 꺾을 마지막 기회…8일간 배수진"

Our top story tonight.
South Korea is under high alert as it continues to see worrying numbers of new COVID-19 infections.
The nation reported more than three-hundred new cases for two days in a row on Saturday.
Our Kim Jae-hee reports.
South Korean authorities warn the coming week may be the "last chance" to bring the virus back under control in the Seoul Metropolitan area.
Health authorities on Saturday warned of the current situation in the nation, and said if the infection rate worsens, the government would have to upgrade the social distancing level to the highest level in its three-tier system.
"We're now at the frontline of defense to slow down the spread of infections in the Seoul metropolitan area. If the Seoul metropolitan area's infection rate does not subside, we'll have to upgrade social distancing measures to level 3."
For eight days starting Sunday, social distancing in South Korea's greater Seoul area will be much stricter to contain the virus.
Only takeout drinks will be available at franchise coffee shops, and only pickups and deliveries will be allowed at restaurants between 9 PM and 5 AM.
Meanwhile, the nation reported five more deaths of the virus on Saturday the highest daily increase since mid-April raising the death toll to 321.
The nation also confirmed 323 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the total caseload to 19-thousand-4-hundred.
Of the new cases, 308 were local transmissions, mostly from the Seoul metropolitan area.
South Korea has reported more than three-hundred new cases for two days in a row, after it reported 441 new cases on Thursday,... the highest daily increase in nearly six months.
The number of new cases in the nation has remained in the triple digits for more than two weeks now.
As of noon Saturday, there were 1-thousand-and-18 COVID-19 infections related to the Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul, and 307 cases related to the rally at the Gwanghwamun Square on August 15th.
Kim Jae-hee, Arirang News.