South Korea on Friday reported 1,241 new COVID-19 cases, a daily record, and 17 more deaths in the past 24 hours, including 1,216 local infections, raising the total caseload to 54,770 and death toll to 773, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Tougher restrictions to stem new cases were taken this week including a ban on social gatherings of more than five people, while ski resorts and tourist spots have been shut in a bid to stop the spread during the Christmas and New Year holidays.