Seoul: South Korea on Tuesday reported more cases of coronavirus, that has been concentrated in North Asia, but continues its spread in the clusters of Middle East and Europe.
South Korea now has the second-most cases with 60 reported on Tuesday morning, bringing total to 893. South Korea has reported a near 15-fold increase in infections with the new coronavirus in a week, as health workers continue to find batches in the southeastern city of Daegu and nearby areas, where panic has brought towns to an eerie standstill.
Of the 60 new cases reported by South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 49 came from Daegu and the surrounding areas of North Gyeongsang province.
The country also reported its eight fatality, a man in his 60s who was linked to a hospital in Cheongdo, where a slew of infections has been reported among patients at a mental ward.
Read more: South Korea reports 142 more coronavirus cases, total 346
South Korea's cases now outnumber those reported by Japan, where the virus infected almost one-fifth of the passengers and crew on a cruise ship.
In South Korea, the start of the new school year has been delayed, and President Moon Jae-in issued the country’s highest alert for infectious diseases.
People who recently visited Daegu and nearby areas were advised to stay at home if possible for two weeks. More than 600 police officers fanned out in Daegu in search of members of a church that has been identified as a source for hundreds of infections. The halls of the National Assembly were sterilized and crews in protective suits sprayed disinfectants at shops and food stalls in Seoul.
South Korea’s defense ministry has confirmed 13 troops have the virus, resulting in quarantines for many other troops and halting field training.
The United States Forces Korea says a 61-year-old US military dependent living in Daegu tested positive, the first infection among individuals related to US troops in South Korea. South Korean and US military health professionals were tracing her possible contacts.
Also read: South Korea confirms 52 more coronavirus cases, total 156
(With inputs from AP)
