Embassy urges Nepalis in South Korea to apply special precaution to avoid COVID-19 infection

KATHMANDU, Feb 23: The Embassy of Nepal in South Korea has urged all the Nepali nationals residing in South Korea to apply special stay safe from the fast-spreading novel coronavirus infection.

The embassy, issuing a notice on Sunday, has advised the Nepali citizens to apply special measures to prevent coronavirus infection as South Korea reported 123 new cases today taking the total to 556, with death toll climbing to four.

“Since the COVID-19 infection is fast-growing in South Korea, we advise all to stay aware and apply the precautions effectively to stay safe from the infection,” the embassy said.

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the southern city of Daegu has become the biggest hotbed of infection in the country.

According to Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 113 of the 120 new cases were reported in Daegu and surrounding areas. Of them 70 are linked to the church.

The city authorities are launching intensive examinations of church members, testing more than 9,000 worshipers, as a massive increase of the number of those infected in Daegu is feared, according to reports.

“We urge the Nepali students and migrants workers residing in Daegu and surrounding areas to follow special precaution to avoid infection,” the embassy said.

China reported 648 new infections taking the total to 76,936. The death toll in China from new virus has reached 2,442.

The virus has spread to more than 25 countries and infected 78, 000 people globally.

According to the Associated Press, the latest figures reported by each government’s health authority as of Sunday are as follows:

Mainland China: 2,442 deaths among 76,936 cases, mostly in the central province of Hubei

Hong Kong: 69 cases, 2 deaths

Macao: 10 cases

Japan: 769 cases, including at least 634 from a cruise ship docked in Yokohama, 3 deaths

South Korea: 556 cases, 4 deaths

Singapore: 89 cases

Italy: 79 cases; 2 deaths

United States: 35 cases; separately, 1 U.S. citizen died in China

Thailand: 35 cases

Iran: 28 cases, 6 deaths

Taiwan: 26 cases, 1 death

Australia: 23 cases

Malaysia: 22

Vietnam: 16 cases

Germany: 16

France: 12 cases, 1 death

United Arab Emirates: 11 cases

United Kingdom: 9

Canada: 9

Philippines: 3 cases, 1 death

India: 3 cases

Russia: 2

Spain: 2

Lebanon: 1

Israel: 1

Belgium: 1

Nepal: 1

Sri Lanka: 1

Sweden: 1

Cambodia: 1

Finland: 1

Egypt: 1