South Korea reported 43 more cases of the COVID-19 as of 0:00 a.m. Thursday local time compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 14,499.

The daily caseload stayed above 40 in eight days due to small cluster infections and imported cases.

Of the new cases, 20 were imported, lifting the combined figure to 2,520. The imported cases grew in double figures for 42 straight days since June 26.

No more death was confirmed, leaving the death toll at 302. The total fatality rate stood at 2.08 percent.

A total of 95 more patients were discharged from quarantine after making full recovery, pulling up the combined number to 13,501. The total recovery rate was 93.12 percent.

Since Jan. 3, the country has tested more than 1.60 million people, among whom 1,573,957 tested negative for the virus and 18,031 are being checked.

xinhua