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South Korea Reports First Coronavirus Death

William Gallo

   SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - South Korea confirmed its first death from the new
   coronavirus, local media reported Thursday, as the number of infections
   in the country tripled within two days.

   The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement
   the exact cause of death is being investigated. The report came as the
   country grapples with the outbreak and its economic impact.

   South Korea reported 53 new coronavirus infections Thursday, bringing
   the total number of cases in the country to 104.

   South Korean authorities have warned the outbreak is entering a "new
   phase" and is now spreading locally, even among people who have no
   links to China, where the virus originated.

   The virus, which causes a pneumonialike illness recently named
   COVID-19, has killed more than 2,100 people and infected more than
   75,000 worldwide. Almost all the infections have been in China.

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