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South Korea on Highest Alert Against Coronavirus

VOA News

   South Korea has raised its alert level for the coronavirus disease to
   the highest level.

   South Korean President Moon Jae-in urged officials to not hesitate to
   take "unprecedented powerful measures" to contain the outbreak.

   Moon made the comments as authorities reported 123 more cases Sunday,
   raising the total to 556 with five deaths.

   South Korea's prime minister said the coronavirus in his country had
   entered a "more grave stage" as the new cases of the disease were
   reported Sunday.

   Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun made the remark late Saturday in a
   nationally televised address. He said Seoul is making all-out efforts
   to contain the further spread of the disease.

   US travel advisory

   Korea's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said of the 123 new
   cases reported Sunday, 113 were in the fourth-largest city, Daegu, and
   surrounding areas. South Korea now has 556 reported coronavirus cases
   with five deaths. South Korea is testing 6,039 other people for the
   virus.

   Also Saturday, the U.S. State Department issued travel advisories for
   Japan and South Korea because of the coronavirus outbreak, urging
   travelers to "exercise increased caution" if visiting those countries.

   The State Department statement said a Level 2 advisory means travelers
   should avoid contact with sick people and practice basic hygiene, such
   as washing their hands often to guard against contracting the disease.

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