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2020.05.11 17:59 GMT+8

South Korea's Itaewon club-linked coronavirus infections rises to 86

Updated 2020.05.11 18:33 GMT+8
CGTN

The view of Itaewon in Seoul, South Korea. /CCTV

The number of coronavirus infections linked to clubs and bars in Itaewon in South Korea's capital city Seoul has risen to 86, local health officials reported on Monday.

Among the newly reported infections, 63 of them visited clubs in Itaewon, while 23 others were family members and friends who came in close contact with them, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said during a press briefing.

By region, 51 confirmed cases were reported in Seoul, 21 in Gyeonggi Province, seven in Incheon, five in North Chungcheong Province, and Busan and Jeju Island each confirmed one case.

The country's health ministry has asked those who visited the affected establishments between April 24 to May 6 to be tested for coronavirus.

The Seoul city government said it would provide free testing to club goers in an effort to contain the virus spread. 

On Saturday, the city government imposed an administrative order to suspend all nightlife businesses as a precaution against worsening the outbreak.

The KCDC is talking with the country's Ministry of Education on rearranging the dates for primary and middle schools to reopen. 

The Itaewon infections were first reported when a man tested positive for coronavirus on May 6 after visiting five clubs between the night of May 1 and the early morning of May 2.

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