‘All-out measures’ pledge for MERS
Print Edition
SOUTH Korea reported a fifth death from MERS yesterday as the government vowed “all-out” measures to curb an outbreak that is 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 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome were confirmed on Saturday night, the health ministry said.
The outbreak is the largest outside Saudi Arabia, where it has infected more than 950 since 2012.
More than 2,300 people have been placed under quarantine of varying degrees. About 2,100 have been told to stay home and strictly limit their interaction with others, while about 200 are isolated in state hospitals.
All 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 across the country. The case was not included among the 14 new infections confirmed by the health ministry.
Acting Prime Minister Choi Kyung-Hwan vowed “all-out efforts” to curb the spread of the disease. He urged the public not to panic, saying that 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,” Choi told reporters.
“People should not overreact and should cooperate closely (with the government) to minimise negative impact on the economy.”
The government will step up monitoring on those placed under observation, including tracking the locations of those in home quarantine via their mobile phones, Choi said.
“Please understand that it is an inevitable measure to ensure the safety of your neighbors and families,” Choi said.
The first case — reported on May 20 — was of a 68-year-old man diagnosed in the city of Pyeongtaek, about 65 kilometers 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.
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 earlier confirmed one case in Sunchang, about 240 kilometers south of Seoul, with the entire village of about 100 people having been sealed since Saturday.
Bigger budget support was also promised for those placed under quarantine and for local governments and school authorities struggling to contain the outbreak.
Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, one of the 24 hospitals where 17 cases were confirmed, said more than 890 patients and medical staff had been exposed to those infected.
The hospital is one of the country’s largest, visited by more than 8,000 patients a day.
“We notified the 893 people immediately and carried out necessary quarantine measures,” hospital president Song Jae-Hoon said.
However, Seoul Mayor Park Won-Soon said: “We are afraid that there is a significant possibility that the outbreak at the hospital could spread to the local community.”
Park last week declared “war” on the outbreak and called for more transparency from the government to curb the spread of the disease in Seoul, home to 10 million people.
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