Coronavirus update: Infections in South Korea reaches a “Critical Moment”

The novel Coronavirus keeps spreading at an alarming rate globally, but it seems countries in Asia are experiencing the worst nightmare in connection to the virus. South Korea has recorded the biggest daily jump in infections, with 594 new cases taking the tally to 2,931. This has prompted authorities in South Korea to urge citizens (on Saturday) to stay indoors as it warned of a “critical moment” in its battle against the virus.

South Korea is currently the country with the largest outbreak of the virus after China, as a new death took the toll to 17, amid a record daily increase in infections (594) since the country confirmed its first patient on January 20.

In China – the epicentre of the deadly disease – the National Health Commission reported on Saturday at least 47 new coronavirus deaths, bringing to 2,835 the number of fatalities nationwide. There were also 427 new infections, up from 327 the previous day, pushing the confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 79,251, and more than 83,000 worldwide. Italy has reported 650 coronavirus cases and 17 deaths, the most in Europe. On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) had warned that the spread of the virus is “getting bigger”.

Credit: Aljazeera