Korea's new Covid-19 cases rose above 40 on Wednesday, as local infections broke out at various facilities in the nation’s two largest cities, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.

The nation reported 43 new virus cases -- 23 local infections and 20 foreign arrivals -- raising the cumulative total to 14,499 as of midnight Wednesday. Ninety-five more people recovered, pushing the number of cured patients to 13,501, with 696 people receiving treatment.

The death toll stayed put at 302. The nation has tested 1,606,487 suspected patients since Jan. 3.

Of the 23 local infections, 16 occurred in the greater Seoul area, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, followed by three in Busan, two in North Gyeongsang Province, and one in South Chungcheong and Jeolla Province each. The number of local infections surpassed 20 for the first time in nearly two weeks.

The daily tally surpassed 40, as infected people appeared at various places, such as churches, cafés, restaurants, and offices in the Seoul metro region and ships anchored in Busan.

In Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, six Uzbekistanis have been confirmed of infection. Local health officials are investigating the exact source and path of infection.

The six Uzbekistanis were known to have attended an Islamic religious event at a park in Cheongju on July 31. Officials tested every participant and people who contacted the six Uzbekistanis, and all of them showed a negative response.

Out of the 20 imported cases, five patients arrived from the U.S., four from Russia, two from Uzbekistan, and one from Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Japan, Pakistan, Philippines, France, Mexico, Brazil, and Cameroon. The total number of foreign arrivals has also exceeded 2,500.

By nationality, 12 were Koreans, and eight were foreigners. Six of them tested positive for the virus in the screening process at either an airport or a seaport. The other 18 tested positive while under self-quarantine, according to the KCDC.

Copyright © KBR Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution prohibited