South Korea has recorded its highest daily coronavirus death toll

since the start of the pandemic as new cases continue to surge despite tougher virus curbs.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said

today that 40 more people died from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours,

sharply up from the 11 reported a day earlier, raising the death toll 859.

Meanwhile, 1,046 new cases were confirmed, including 1,030 local infections

And 16 imported from abroad, bringing the total caseload to 58,725.

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