The top diplomats of South Korea and Norway have discussed efforts to fight the novel coronavirus, the foreign ministry here said Saturday. During the telephone talks with her Norwegian counterpart, Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stressed her country's far-reaching quarantine and disinfection efforts to contain the local spread of COVID-19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said. Kang also asked for the Norwegian government's cooperation in allowing necessary

South Korea continued to see a slowdown in the pace of the novel coronavirus spread for the third consecutive day, with the total number of infections coming in at 8,086 Saturday morning, up from 107 from the same time a day earlier. 　 A total of 204 people were released from isolation Friday, nearly double the number of those newly infected with the virus. The number of those deemed clear of the virus is 714. 　 Five more people died of COVID-19 on Friday, raising the death toll to 72, accord

South Korea said Thursday that those arriving in the country after visiting five European countries, including Germany, will face stepped-up quarantine requirements starting next week, as the government grapples with the largest-yet cluster infections of novel coronavirus in the capital. 　 South Korea’s coronavirus cases climbed by 114 to 7,869 as of midnight Wednesday, the lowest daily increase in nearly three weeks, according to data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Preven

South Korea’s coronavirus cases climbed by 114 to 7,869 in the past 24 hours on Thursday, the lowest daily increase in nearly three weeks, as health authorities grapple with mass cluster infection cases in the country’s capital and surrounding cities. Six more people died Wednesday, bringing Korea’s death toll to 66, according to data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the 114 new cases across the country, 19 new cases were reported in Seoul and

The South Korean government plans to enforce guidelines for densely populated workplaces, stung by mass coronavirus infections at a call center in Seoul. 　 At least 90 people, including 77 employees at a call center in Guro-gu and 13 people who came into contact with them, tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday afternoon, making it the biggest cluster of infections in Seoul that is home to 9.7 million people. 　 The country’s coronavirus cases as of midnight Tuesday came in at 7,755

South Korea reported 242 novel coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 7,755 on Wednesday, as health authorities grapple with mass cluster infection cases in the country’s capital. Six more people died Tuesday, bringing Korea’s death toll to 60, according to data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the 242 new cases across the country, 52 new cases were reported in Seoul, with 12 each in Incheon and in Gyeonggi P

Seoul’s biggest-yet cluster of infections emerged Tuesday, keeping South Korea’s health authorities on their toes despite the number of newly discovered infections across the country slowing for the fourth consecutive day. 　 The nationwide total of reported coronavirus cases rose by 131 to 7,513 with 54 deaths, marking the lowest daily increase in two weeks, according to data tallied Monday at midnight by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 　 The new cluster in S

South Korea’s reported coronavirus cases rose by 131 to 7,513 with a total of 54 deaths Tuesday, marking the lowest daily increase in two weeks -- falling for the fourth consecutive day.  　 Despite the slowing pace of daily increase of confirmed cases, small-scale clusters of infections continue to emerge in the country’s most populated areas -- Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, keeping health authorities on their toes. 　 The latest mass infections were reported at a call center in

The novel coronavirus was apparently brought into the country from Wuhan, China. But it was a branch of an enigmatic Christian sect in Daegu that provided it with a breeding ground at home. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which operates under a veil of secrecy, abruptly came to the center of attention after one of its congregants tested positive for the virus Feb. 18. The case of the 61-year-old woman, known as COVID-19 patient No. 31, was linked to many others among followers who attended

Forty-six residents of an apartment complex in Daegu, the city at the center of South Korea’s novel coronavirus outbreak, were confirmed to have contracted the virus. 　 All 46 confirmed patients from the apartment block were followers of a fringe religious sect and were admitted to hospitals or community treatment centers for quarantine, according to the Daegu Metropolitan Government. 　 Daegu authorities faced criticism for their failure to detect early signs of epidemiological links to

South Korean government said the country might see a slowing trend in the spread of the novel coronavirus as it reported 367 new cases of coronavirus infections Sunday, the lowest daily increase in more than 10 days. 　 Health authorities, however, were cautious about the slowing trend, saying it was too early to say the situation has got better and new clusters of infections could still emerge. 　 The total reported cases here stood at 7,313 on Sunday afternoon -- with 179 more cases since mid

South Korea’s reported coronavirus cases mounted to 6,284 with total deaths at 42 on Friday, amid growing concerns over the emerging new clusters of infections. 　 The latest mass transmission cases were reported at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. It was closed after nine people were confirmed to be infected with COVID-19. In the country of Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province, 51 people at a nursing home, or 44 percent of staff members and inpatients, tested posit

South Korea is to greet the warmest day of this year -- so far -- on Sunday, with daytime high temperatures in Seoul forecast to reach 17 degrees Celsius. Warm temperatures are expected in most parts of the country this weekend, due to wind blowing from the southeast and migratory high-pressure systems, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. On Saturday, the daily low is expected to hover around minus 3 C to 6 C, with temperatures during the day expected to be as high as 14 C

South Korea’s reported coronavirus cases rose by 518 to 6,284 with a total of 42 deaths Friday, amid growing concerns over the emerging new clusters of infections. Of the new cases, 367 (70.8 percent) were confirmed in the southeastern city of Daegu at the heart of the country’s virus outbreak, and 123 (23.7 percent) in North Gyeongsang Province, according to data tallied at Thursday midnight by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ten new cases were reported in

South Korea’s coronavirus cases surged past 6,000 with 41 deaths Thursday, as the government shifted its focus to minor clusters of coronavirus infections, so far overshadowed by the massive number related to Shincheonji Church of Jesus. Nearly 70 percent of Korea’s coronavirus cases are classified as cluster infection cases, while 30.6 percent are sporadic with their exact infection routes being scrutinized, health authorities said. The latest mass transmission cases were found

South Korea is shifting its focus to minor clusters of coronavirus infections, so far overshadowed by the massive number of cases related to Shincheonji Church of Jesus, as the number of cases is increasing at a slower pace.  Nearly 70 percent of Korea’s coronavirus cases are classified as cluster infection cases, while 30.6 percent are sporadic with their exact infection routes being scrutinized, health authorities said Thursday. The latest mass transmission cases were found in a

Customers were scarce and business was slow at a grocery store in central Seoul on Wednesday, as it has been since the coronavirus outbreak. In one corner, a group appeared unfittingly enthusiastic, surrounding a clerk and bombarding the person with inquiries. 　 Among them were 80-year-old Kim Hoon (not his real name) and his wife. He said he had come to buy face masks, considered essential here as a precaution against the novel coronavirus. 　 “We waited in line for two hours,” sai

South Korea reported 438 new cases of the coronavirus and 3 more deaths on Thursday, bringing the nation’s total infections to 5,766 and death toll to 35, according to health authorities. Of the new cases, 320 cases (73 percent) were confirmed in the southeastern city of Daegu at the heart of the country’s virus outbreak, and 87 cases (19 percent) in North Gyeongsang Province. Nine new cases were reported in Gyeonggi Province and South Gyeongsang Province, respectively, four each

South Korean authorities said Tuesday that the probability of those infected with the novel coronavirus dying is 0.6 percent here, as the government battles community spread of the deadly virus in Daegu. 　 The country reported 851 more cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections to 5,186. The death toll has risen to 29, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 　 To prevent further fatalities, health authorities said they will prioritize testing for &ldq

The number of COVID-19 cases in South Korea has surged to 4,812, with 28 deaths reported so far, as the government struggles to prevent further fatalities amid hospital overcrowding. The country reported 600 more cases and six additional deaths as of midnight Monday, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the new cases, 519 were confirmed in Daegu (86.5 percent), 61 in North Gyeongsang Province (10 percent), 7 in Seoul 1.6 percent), 3 in South Chungcheong Prov