South Korea reports 13th death, 344 new coronavirus cases

South Korea, the country with the highest number of coronavirus infections after China, has reported its 13th fatality from the pathogen, also announcing 334 new infection cases, the largest daily increase in the country.

The new cases reported by the South Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday brought the national tally to 1,595.

Twenty four patients have also been discharged from hospital after full recovery.

South Korean media reports said the Shincheonji religious group was at the heart of the country’s novel coronavirus outbreak, particularly in the city of Daegu. The religious group has been cooperating with local authorities and has shut down all church services and gatherings.

South Korea also postponed joint military drills with the United States on Thursday to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

In China

Meanwhile, the number of infections outside China — the source of the outbreak — for the first time surpassed those appearing in the country.

China reported 433 new cases of coronavirus infections on Thursday, up from 406 the previous day.

Chinese authorities also said the number of new deaths stood at 29 on Thursday, the lowest daily tally since Beijing started registering data on the deadly virus outbreak on January 28.

China kept under quarantine 257 passengers from two incoming flights from Seoul on Wednesday, as part of measures to address the threat of a rise in coronavirus cases in the region.

The virus has so far killed a total of 2,744 people in China, mostly in the city of Wuhan, in the central province of Hubei, where it originated late last year.

The coronavirus has spread to nearly 40 countries and infected about 80,000 people worldwide.

Austria, Switzerland, other European states confirm first coronavirus cases

Several European countries, including Austria and Switzerland, have confirmed their first cases of the new coronavirus.

North Korea takes measures against virus

Meanwhile on Thursday, reports said North Korea had postponed the new school term to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

“School breaks for students have been extended as a preventive measure against the infection,” the Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported, according to Yonhap news agency.

The measure would apply to daycares, kindergartens, and universities.

The country, which is subject to multiple international sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile program, has not yet reported a case of the virus.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it would provide Pyongyang with 1,500 coronavirus diagnostic test kits at its request “due to the persisting risk of the new COVID-19.”

“We hope that this step will help North Korea prevent the infection from penetrating the country,” it said in a statement.

The new coronavirus, known as COVID-19, can cause various symptoms, ranging from those of the common cold to more severe diseases such as pneumonia. Common signs include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and other respiratory complications.

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