S. Korea reports 110 new COVID-19 cases, half in Busan

South Korea on Thursday reported 110 new cases of COVID-19, including 95 local infections, mainly due to a new cluster of infectionases in the southeastern port city of Busan amid an eased social distancing scheme.

The new cases raised the country's total caseload to 24,988, with the death toll reaching 439, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

At least 54 infections were reported in a hospital for the elderly in Busan.

Health officials are planning to test 160,000 employees at hospitals, nursing homes and welfare centers for senior citizens in Seoul and nearby areas as part of efforts to prevent outbreaks.