World

Coronavirus -South Korea confirms more than 3700 cases

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 24: Disinfection professionals wear protective gear spray anti-septic solution against the coronavirus (COVID-19) at a National Assembly on February 24, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. The National Assembly called off its plenary session and temporarily closed its buildings after it was learned that a coronavirus patient attended a parliamentary forum last week. Government has raised the coronavirus alert to the "highest level" as confirmed case numbers keep rising. Government reported 231 new cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing the total number of infections in the nation to 833, with the potentially fatal illness spreading fast across the country. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Churches were closed in South Korea on Sunday, with many holding online services instead, as authorities fought to rein in public gatherings as 586 new coronavirus infections took the tally to 3,736 cases.

That came a day after the biggest daily jump of 813 cases in South Korea’s battle with the largest virus outbreak outside China, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said. The death toll rose to 20, up from 17 the day before.

In Seoul, the capital, about a dozen worshippers were turned away from the Yoido Full Gospel Church, which put a sermon for its 560,000 followers on YouTube, filmed with a small choir instead of all 200 members and 60-strong orchestra.

Of the new cases, 333 were from the southeastern city of Daegu, the location of a church at the centre of the outbreak, and 26 from the nearby province of North Gyeongsang, KCDC said.