[Getty/Kyodo]

SEOUL - South Korean health authorities on Saturday reported 18 newly confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, marking the first time for the daily figure to fall below 20 in around two months.

Of the new cases recorded in the 24 hours to the end of Friday, nine were imported from overseas, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There were two more coronavirus-related fatalities, raising the country's death toll to 232, it said, adding that the total number of infection cases now stands at 10,653.

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The latest report of new infections is in stark contrast to the high of over 900 cases recorded in late February.

A health official voiced appreciation for the efforts made by South Koreans to observe social distancing practices, while urging continued vigilance as the transmission routes of some patients could not be traced.

Also Saturday, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun asked people to refrain from going out and traveling as much as possible during the extended holiday period from the end of April to the beginning of May.