South Korea mobilizes against drastic increase in Covid-19 cases

South Korea mobilizes against drastic increase in Covid-19 cases
Fecha de publicación: 
24 February 2020
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Seoul, Feb 24 (Prensa Latina) South Korea is strengthening its response on Monday to curb the Covid-19 coronavirus, as it reported a drastic increase in the number of patients to 833 and eight deaths, thus becoming the second country in the world with the largest number of cases, after China.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of cases among members of the Shincheonji religious sect, in the southeastern city of Daegu, has increased, as well as in a hospital in the neighboring town of Cheongdo.

More than 50% of cases in South Korea are related to those two outbreaks.

In light of the situation, Daegu authorities called on its 2.5 million inhabitants to stay at home, a suggestion that the government also made to individuals with a fever and a cold, pregnant women and the elderly in the rest of the country.

The Ministry of Education postponed the beginning of the second semester for March 9, and the Parliament cancelled its plenary session, after three opposition lawmakers had contact with a patient.

For its part, the technological giant Samsung Electronics closed its plant in Gumi, where it makes the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Z Flip phones, and the TV station JTBC suspended its morning news after one of its employees was diagnosed with the respiratory disease.

President Moon Jae-in called for special decisions and measures in a rapid, aggressive and unrestrictive manner, due to fears of a nationwide outbreak if the Covid-19 is not contained in Daegu.

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