S. Korea reports sixth MERS death, surge in infections
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SEOUL (AFP) - South Korea recorded its sixth death and biggest single day jump in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infections Monday, with 23 new cases in the largest outbreak of the potentially deadly virus outside Saudi Arabia.
From just four cases two weeks ago, the total number of infections now stands at 87, including six people who have died.
The latest fatality was an 80-year-old man who died Monday morning in a hospital in Daejeon, 140 kilometres (87 miles) south of Seoul, the health ministry said.
The outbreak has triggered widespread public concern in South Korea, with 2,500 people placed under quarantine orders and nearly 1,900 schools -- mostly in Seoul and surrounding Gyeonggi province -- closed down.
Among the 23 new cases, 17 were infected at the Samsung Medical Centre in southern Seoul -- one of the country's largest hospitals, and the one where the ailing 73-year-old chairman of Samsung Electronics has been in intensive care for more than a year.
The hospital said it had placed nearly 900 patients and medical staff under observation and expected to see more cases in the coming days.
