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CHINA-HEALTH-VIRUS-SKOREA-ALERT
S. Korea raises coronavirus alert level to ‘highest’: president
SEOUL, Feb 23, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – South Korea is raising its alert level on
the new coronavirus to the “highest”, President Moon Jae-in said Sunday, in
the face of a sudden spike in the number of infections.
“The COVID-19 incident faces a grave turning point. The next few days will
be crucial,” Moon said following a government meeting on the virus.
“The government will raise the alert level to the highest level according
to experts’ recommendations,” he added.
South Korea has seen a rapid surge in the number of coronavirus cases in
recent days after a cluster of infections emerged from a religious sect in
the southern city of Daegu last week.
The national toll of 556 cases is now the highest outside China, apart
from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1356 hrs