3 die in Iran and 2 in S Korea
Deaths in Islamic nation at 8 as Korea raises nation’s alert to ‘highest’
Tehran, Feb. 23: Iran on Sunday reported three more novel coronavirus deaths among 15 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of fatalities to eight and infections to 43. Four new Covid-19 cases surfaced in Tehran, seven in the holy city of Qom, two in Gilan and one each in Markazi and Tonekabon, health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said.
123 new cases in Korea Shanghai, Feb 23: South Korea went on high alert Sunday following a sharp jump in coronavirus cases. South Korea reported 123 new cases and two deaths on Sunday, taking the countrywide toll of fatalities to four. South Korea is raising the nation’s alert to its “highest” level, President Moon Jae-in said on Sunday after the number of infections nearly tripled over the weekend to 556. Led by an outbreak cluster in a religious sect in the southern city of Daegu, South Korea now has the most infections outside of China apart from the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan, which has seen more than 600.
“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.” Moon did not specify what those measures may include.
More than 300 cases have been linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus sect in Daegu — whose founder claims the mantle of Jesus Christ and vows to take 144,000 people with him to heaven on judgement day. Some 9,300 Shincheonji members have either been quarantined or asked to stay at home, according to the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 1,240 have reported symptoms.
Over 100 cases in Italy Rome, Feb. 23: The number of coronavirus cases in Italy has risen to over 100, Attilio Fontana, president of the northern Lombardy
region said. He said there were “more than 100 cases” in the country overall and 89 cases in Lombardy alone.
Jordan bars entry Amman, Feb. 23: Jordan on Sunday said it would bar citizens from China, Iran and South Korea from entering the kingdom in a bid to prevent the deadly coronavirus outbreak spreading. The minister of state for media affairs, Amjad Adayleh, said it was part of “preemptive measures... following the rise in cases of coronavirus in South Korea, Iran” and China.
MORE THAN 300 cases have been linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus sect in Daegu. Some 9,300 Shincheonji members have either been quarantined or asked to stay at home. More than 1,240 have reported symptoms.