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SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea reported 73 new coronavirus cases on Monday, its fifth day of double-digit figures, but health officials warned the numbers may rise following a major holiday last week.

Meanwhile, two more American troops and a dependent tested positive after traveling to the peninsula from the United States, raising the total number of cases affiliated with the military to 201.

Two service members landed at Osan Air Base on government-chartered flights on Sept. 27 and 29, while the dependent arrived at Incheon International Airport on a commercial flight on Sept. 29, U.S. Forces Korea said in a press release.

All three had positive results on their initial test required before entering a mandatory two-week quarantine required of all arrivals in a bid to slow the spread of the virus from abroad.

All travel assets and quarantine rooms used by the infected individuals have been thoroughly cleaned, and the patients have been transferred to isolation facilities at Camp Humphreys and Kunsan Air Base, according to the press release.

South Korea has tempered optimism over a decline in the overall daily number of coronavirus cases due to fears of potential cluster outbreaks following last week’s Chuseok holiday, during which families traditionally visit each other and hold large gatherings.

The 73 new cases raised the country’s total to 24,091, with 422 deaths, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

news@stripes.com

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