South Korean health officials, who had been trying to reopen the country in the next month, had recorded over 2,000 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, which is close to the record level hit last month.

The New York Times said the increase in cases came just days after the country eased some social distancing regulations, as coronavirus cases appeared to be declining. 

Infections have contributed to the spread of the virus since the restrictions are not being met by everyone in Korea.

The timing of the surge in cases is particularly alarming as South Koreans approach Chuseok Day, a national holiday of three days later this month where families visit each other.

Health authorities hope cases will drop enough to resume a more "normal" life by November as they expect 70 percent of the population to be fully vaccinated by then. About 61 percent of South Koreans have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and more than 36 percent have been fully vaccinated.