South Korea on Sunday morning reported 123 new cases of the novel coronavirus and one additional death. Four people have now died in the country as at least 556 cases have been confirmed.
Of the 123 new cases reported on Sunday, 75 are related to the super-spreader from Shincheonji Church in the Daegu—the fourth-largest city in South Korea with a population of 2.5 million.
Over 300 cases have since been traced to the church after the 61-year-old female super-spreader who attended the church tested positive on Feb. 18. She was South Korea’s 31st confirmed case.
According to the KCDC, more than 9,000 church members are now under self-quarantine.
On Friday, Daegu and Cheongdo were declared “special management zones” by South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun due to a large number of confirmed cases in the two locations. By late Saturday, Chung said in a nationally televised address that the virus outbreak had entered “a more grave stage” while reassuring South Koreans that the government was making all-out efforts to contain further spread of the disease. Chung added that any acts that hamper national quarantine efforts will be dealt with sternly.
Governments around the world have now taken preventive measures toward travelers from both South Korea and Japan. Japan has 135 known cases of coronavirus and three deaths.
The CDC states that the two countries are “experiencing sustained community transmission of respiratory illness caused” by COVID-19.
So far, Taiwan is aware of at least 26 known cases of the virus on the island. One local man in his 60s was the island’s first death.
According to the ministry’s published itinerary, the Korean travel group was in Israel from Feb. 8 to 15, visiting places such as West Bank and Masada National Park.
All travelers returning to Israel from South Korea and Japan are now required to remain in isolation for two weeks after their arrival, according to the ministry.
About 1,000 tourists from South Korea currently in Israel have been told to avoid public places, and to isolate themselves in their hotels, the Post reported.