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| A health officer disinfects the entrance of a multi-unit house in Daegu where one of its residents tested positive for the coronavirus, Thursday. Yonhap |
The South Korean city of Daegu is on alert as concerns over the new coronavirus soar in line with a surge in patients, with many of suspected of contracting the potentially fatal virus at a church associated with a minor religious sect.
On Thursday, South Korea reported 31 new cases of the COVID-19, bringing total infections here to 82. The first case in the country was reported on Jan. 20.
The pace of new infections had slowed in the past couple of weeks, but this week the number shot up by more than 50. Most of the new cases are in the southeastern city of Daegu and the surrounding North Gyeongsang Province.
Of the 82 cases, 48 were reported in the southeastern region, with 37 patients known to have attended a church service. The 31st patient, a woman, 61, is presumed to have infected about 40 people so far.
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| Public facilities in Daegu are subject to a disinfection campaign as 30 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the city and surrounding areas. Yonhap |
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| Disinfection is under way at a wholesale market for fruit and agricultural products in Daegu on Thursday, the workplace of a coronavirus patient's family member. Yonhap |
The latest development has stoked fears of the virus spreading rapidly in Daegu, the country's fourth-largest city and home to 2.4 million people. The combined population of the city and the adjacent North Gyeongsang Province is about 5 million.
To ward off the sprawling virus, the city has taken measures to shut down public libraries temporarily and ordered kindergartens to suspend classes for now.
The Daegu High Court, among other public institutions, temporarily blocked some entrances to its compound and installed thermal cameras.
Major events have been called off or postponed. A concert featuring BTS and other K-pop stars that was set for March 8 at Daegu Stadium was put off following the outbreak.
The city has also launched a probe into people who attended Sunday services at the Daegu unit of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony.
Some 1,000 people reportedly attended the church, which is known for its tight-knit seating arrangements, on Feb. 9 and 16.
The provincial city, meanwhile, has asked for help in securing more hospital beds and medical personnel, with four of the five emergency units at university hospitals temporarily shut down following visits by people who were later confirmed as infected.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Wednesday, Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin stressed the need for new strategies to tackle the contagious virus, voicing concerns over the outbreak spreading across the country.
He also asked for government support, such as opening up public facilities to quarantine people who are suspected of being infected by COVID-19. He also urged people to wear masks and refrain from unnecessary activities.
On Thursday, the government announced that it will be providing 2.5 billion won ($2.1 million) in special funds to strengthen safety measures in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province. (Yonhap)
