The South Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported seven more deaths and 518 new coronavirus cases on Thursday.

The total number of confirmed cases surged to 6,284, and the death toll is now at 42, according to the KCDC.

Meanwhile, 108 people were discharged from hospitals.

The total number of infections in Daegu, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and its surrounding North Gyeongsang province increased to 4,693 and 984 respectively. These figures accounted for about 90 percent of the total number of cases in the country.

Another alarming cluster of infections was reported in the city of Gyeongsan in North Gyeongsang on Thursday. A total of 56 new cases were reported, including 46 cases at a nursing home.

The country has declared a special care zone around Gyeongsan, promising more resources such as face masks and warning people against traveling there. Similar zones have been declared around neighboring Daegu and Cheongdo county in North Gyeongsang.