South Korean authorities have urged vigilance as small coronavirus clusters emerged in a third wave, centred in the Seoul area, with infections near nine-month highs.

Infections of the virus that causes Covid-19 averaged 487.9 this week, up 80 cases from the week before. This wave of infections is different from the first two, which were driven by large-scale transmission, said KDCA official Lim Sook-young.

“The recent outbreaks are small, multiple and is spread in people’s everyday lives,” Lim told a news briefing. “Please keep in mind that the current wave is not limited to a specific group or place but may be around our homes, family and acquaintances.”