Religious sect at the centre of new Covid-19 outbreak in South Korea, sparking record high cases

South Korea reported a record 4,116 coronavirus infections on November 23, 2021, its highest daily Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. The latest outbreak started in the southern city of Cheonan where a religious sect, whose leader conducts healings by poking eyes, set up a commune. Around 90 per cent of the followers are not vaccinated and are said to be influenced by the church’s anti-government stance. More than half of the town residents have since tested positive for Covid-19. Nationally, 69 per cent of hospital beds in intensive care units around the country are full, raising fears of possible shortages in hospital facilities in the near future.