Govt vows ‘all-out’ effort to curb Mers
SEOUL: South Korea reported its fifth death from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) as the government yesterday vowed “all-out” measures to curb the outbreak that was threatening to spread nationwide, including tracking mobile phones of those in quarantine.
The number of infections rose to 64 after 14 new cases, including one death, of Mers were confirmed late on Saturday night, the health ministry said.
It is the largest outbreak outside Saudi Arabia where it has infected more than 950 since 2012.
As of yesterday, more than 2,300 people had been placed under quarantine of varying degrees. About 2,100 were told to stay home and strictly limit their interactions with others, while about 200 were isolated in state hospitals.
All the 14 new infections were among people already in quarantine after being exposed to those diagnosed earlier, the ministry said.
However, Busan city authorities reported an additional case in the country’s southern port and second-largest city, sparking alarm that the outbreak may spread nationwide.
The case was not included among the 14 new infections confirmed by the health ministry.
Acting Prime Minister Choi Kyung-hwan vowed yesterday that “all-out efforts” would be made to curb the spread of the disease in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
He urged the public not to panic, saying all 64 patients had already been in hospital quarantine.
“We can put the situation under control because ... the outbreak is not spreading to the outside community,” Mr Choi said in a news conference.
“People should not overreact and should cooperate closely [with the government] to minimise negative impact on the economy,” he said.
The government will step up monitoring of those placed under observation, including tracking the locations of those in quarantine at home via their mobile phones, Mr Choi said.
“Please understand that it is an inevitable measure to ensure the safety of your neighbours and families,” Mr Choi said.
The first case — reported on May 20 — was of a 68-year-old man diagnosed in the city of Pyeongtaek, about 65km south of Seoul, after a trip to Saudi Arabia.
The administration of President Park Geun-hye and health officials have come under a storm of criticism over a perceived slow and insufficient response to the outbreak.
A policy not to name the hospitals where patients were diagnosed or treated was a major focus of public criticism.
Mr Choi yesterday disclosed the list of 24 such hospitals — mostly in Seoul or Gyeongi province surrounding the capital — saying it was aimed at “easing public anxiety”.
Authorities had earlier confirmed one case in Sunchang, about 240km south of Seoul, with the entire village of about 100 people having been sealed since Saturday.
Samsung Medical Centre in Seoul — where 17 cases were confirmed — said yesterday more than 890 patients and medical staff had been exposed to those infected.
“We notified the 893 people immediately and carried out necessary quarantine measures,” the hospital president Song Jaehoon told reporters.