Number of COVID-19 infections soars to 204 in South Korea

South Korea Friday afternoon reported 48 more cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of infections in the country to 204.

The number almost tripled in three days in South Korea, with most new infections linked to a branch of the Shincheonji Church in Daegu, the country's fourth-largest city, located 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

Over 120 members of Shincheonji have been infected, starting with a 61-year-old woman who had a fever on February 10 but attended at least four church services before being diagnosed. 

South Korea Thursday also confirmed its first death from COVID-19. The deceased patient had been treated at a hospital in the city of Cheongdo.

On Friday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the situation is "severe" and urged swift and powerful measures to curb the spread of coronavirus in communities.

The government has designated Daegu, a city with 2.4 million residents, and Cheongdo, with a population of 43,000, which accounted for the majority of diagnoses, as special care zones.

(With input from agencies)