Global cases of coronavirus rise, as first US soldier in South Korea tests positive for the virus
pharmafile | February 26, 2020 | News story | Research and Development |
The number of global cases of COVID-19 continues to rise as several nations work to contain outbreaks, in particular South Korea, Iran and Italy.
South Korea said that 134 of its 169 new cases were confirmed in the region of Daegu, while the another 19 were diagnosed in neighbouring towns in North Gyeongsang province.
The US military also reported its first case in Asia. A 23-year-old soldier is in self-quarantine in his off-base residence, and he had been based at Camp Carroll in a town near Daegu.
He had visited another nearby camp in recent days and South Korean and US military health professionals are tracing his movements over the last few days to see if he exposed others to the virus. Currently there are 28,500 US military personnel stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against North Korean aggression.
In response, two bowling allies at Camp Walker and Camp Carrol, and a golf course at Camp Walker were closed, as were all restaurants at the bases
South Korea’s own military has reported 18 cases of the virus and placed thousands of soldiers in quarantine as a precaution. Overall the country has 1,146 confirmed cases with 11 fatalities.
Officials in the US have called for Americans to be prepared for the illness to spread there. Dr Nancy Messonnier of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday: “It’s not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen — and how many people in this country will have severe illness.”
In Italy, 200 people in the North have been diagnosed with the virus and towns have been sealed off. Sporting events are being played behind closed doors, with Inter Milan’s Europa league tie with Ludogorets to go forward without any spectators. Overall, there have been 322 cases in Italy, with 11 fatalities.
In Iran, the country’s deputy Health Minister, Iraj Harirchi has tested positive for coronavirus, while there has been 95 reported cases including 15 deaths. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged all nations to “tell the truth” about the outbreak has Washington suspect Iran may have concealed the actual numbers of cases and fatalities the virus has caused in the country.
Conor Kavanagh
