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Welcome to Arirang News.

This is Shin SeByuck

And we start with our top headlines at this hour.

1.

South Korea reported 635 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday... of which 613 were local transmissions.

The government is looking into adjusting the virus prevention measures from this July when most of the people over 60 would have received their first shot of the vaccine.

The Prime Minister earlier confirmed this as well, but for this to happen, the situation must not get worse.

Meanwhile, more South Koreans landed at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday morning aboard a special flight arranged by Asiana Airlines... which departed from New Delhi.

This is the fourth group this month and more than 700 Koreans have returned so far.

Of those who have returned, 16 have been confirmed to have the virus... and one of them is known to have the new Indian variant.

2.

South Korea is planning to reopen in-person classes for all schools including kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools from the second semester in September.

The Education Ministry said on Wednesday that the plan is in accord with the country's upcoming new COVID-19 social distancing rules, which will take effect from July.

The reopening comes as the pandemic has been significantly hampering children's education and mental development.

The upcoming vaccination plan for teachers is expected to create safer environment for the reopening.

3.

South Korea will start accepting COVID-19 vaccine reservations,...for the next group of senior citizens on Thursday,.. those aged between 60 and 64.

That's the final round of the three-stage reservation program,...covering those aged 60 to 74.

The previous rounds for the two oldest groups already began,...with the booking rate standing at 47 percent for those aged 70 to 74,...and at 31 percent for those aged 65 to 69.

Meanwhile,... the health authorities say,...their plan to review Novavax's vaccines remains unchanged... despite the drugmaker's decision to apply for emergency authorization later than previously planned,... in the third quarter.

4.

India reported its biggest-ever single day COVID death toll of over 42-hundred on Wednesday.

Also on Tuesday, the WHO confirmed that the COVID variant first detected in India last October has now invaded 44 countries.

Earlier this week, the global body upgraded the classification of the variant in India from "a variant of interest" to a "variant of concern."

Taiwan also reported 16 new cases on Wednesday, the most in a single day since the pandemic broke out.

In the meantime, Japan continues to pile up virus cases, reporting over 62-hundred cases just on Tuesday.

Its third state of emergency since the beginning of the crisis is now in effect in six prefectures.

5.

At next week's Seoul-Washington summit, fostering a vaccine partnership will be a key topic.

That's according to the president's chief of staff for policy who pointed out during a local radio program that the U.S. has the technology and materials for vaccines,... while South Korea is number two in the world in terms of biological manufacturing capability.

Lee Ho-seung emphasized, the allies can work to turn Seoul into a global hub for vaccines.

With economic cooperation also on the agenda,... a number of CEOs from key South Korean conglomerates, including SK and Samsung, may accompany the President to the states.

Moving to weather forecast.

Until Friday, daytime highs in Seoul will remain at 29 degrees Celsius, while Daejeon will hover near 30 degrees. Temperatures are forecast to plunge this weekend though, as another rain system will spread showers nationwide.

But until then, as the nation will be under warm spells, UV rays will soar nationwide. UV levels will range from "high" to "very high" across the nation tomorrow. Make sure to apply sunblock when heading out. As for the fine dust, air quality will remain in the "good" category across the entire nation.

Meanwhile, sea waves will be higher than usual until Friday. Minor coastal flooding is possible, so please stay away from the waterfronts.