Senior health official Yoon Tae-ho speaks during a news briefing Friday morning. (Health Ministry)
Korea confirmed 59 more cases of the novel coronavirus disease in the last 24 hours ending Thursday midnight, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s database, bringing the total to 13,979.

Seoul and the surrounding area continue to account for most of the newly identified local cases, quickly replacing Daegu as the epicenter of the epidemic in the country. The cumulative count in the region surpassed 3,000 as of Friday. Only a quarter of intensive care beds in Seoul hospitals were available as of early this week, data showed.

Authorities in Busan are investigating a potential coronavirus cluster linked to a Russian fishing vessel that docked in the northern port after 32 crew members on board tested positive. The 32 infected sailors represent about a third of the 7733-ton ship’s crew. Some 20 people who were in contact with the sailors are now self-isolating.

This marks the eighth Russia-flagged ship that arrived in Busan in past month to carry crew members who are infected with the coronavirus, with the number now totaling 78.

In a regular coronavirus briefing, senior health official Yoon Tae-ho said Russia may be added to the government’s list of coronavirus-risky countries. Those arriving from countries on the list are subject to more stringent border measures.

“As global coronavirus cases escalate, travel restrictions are necessary to prevent spread across borders,” he said.

On Friday morning, 293 more Korean workers in Iraq were brought home on chartered flights and are set to be tested. Three Koreans who worked in construction sites there have died from the infection.

The disease control agency said official coronavirus figures may be understated despite having carried out over 1.5 million tests to date.

In a recent survey of antibody prevalence in Daegu, researchers at Daegu Catholic University found as many as 185,290 people may have been infected. This is roughly 27 times the number of cases reported in the city. Daegu still remains by far the hardest hit -- having recorded over 6,900 cases and 191 deaths.

As cases surge across the country, health officials have issued warnings over the summer holiday possibly contributing to the spike.

“The safest way to protect yourself and others is to stay home. If you choose to travel, wear a face mask and remember the basics: keep distance from others and practice hand hygiene,” they said.

By Kim Arin (arin@heraldcorp.com)