South Korean President Moon Jae-in declared the city of Daegu and three surrounding areas in North Gyeongsang Province a "special disaster zone" because of Covid-19.

South Korean spokesman Kang Min-seok today issued an announcement in Seoul. Daegu is home to about 77% of all nCoV infections in the country. The three areas considered catastrophic in North Gyeongsang Province include Gyeongsan City, Cheongdo District and Bonghwa. The government had previously regarded Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan as "special management areas".

This is the first time Korea has declared a disaster area due to an epidemic. With this move, the government can subsidize local governments up to 50% of the costs needed to recover damages, tax exemptions and utility payments to residents.

The epidemic situation in Korea tends to cool down. South Korea today recorded 76 new cases, the first time after 23 days this index fell below 100. A total of more than 8,100 people infected, more than 70 people died and more than 800 people recovered.

The deputy director of the Kwon Jun-wook Center for Disease Control and Prevention today explained the number of new cases has decreased because they have identified most positive cases related to the New Heavenly Sect. However, he expressed concern about the new outbreak as a customer care center in Seoul.

Covid-19 appeared 153 countries and territories, causing more than 156,000 people infected, 5,800 people died and more than 75,000 people recovered. The Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan is the latest country to record an outbreak.