South Korea has reported 1,100 new coronavirus cases, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said, as the country's toughest anti-Covid curbs take effect in Seoul in an attempt to quell its worst-ever outbreak.

The number is below three consecutive days of peaks leading up to 1,378 cases on Friday, according to Reuters.

The new wave of infections have so far brought fewer serious cases and deaths than earlier rounds, with many older and more vulnerable South Koreans now vaccinated against the virus.

The latest outbreak brings South Korea's total Covid-19 cases to date to 169,146, with 2,044 deaths, well below numbers seen in many other industrialised countries.