News
Passengers arriving from South Korea likely to be quarantined
22 Feb, 2020
By Indika Sri Aravinda
Passengers arriving in Sri Lanka from South Korea are likely to be quarantined as the coronavirus has begun to spread in South Korea.
Chief Epidemiologist at the Ministry of Health Dr Sudhath Samaraweera told the Colombo Gazette that a discussion was held today (Saturday) on the matter.
He said that a final decision is to be taken after further discussions tomorrow (Sunday).
South Korea said that the number of new coronavirus cases in the country has more than doubled in one day.
Officials said on Saturday that 229 new cases had been confirmed since Friday, raising the total to 433.
Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said the outbreak had entered “a serious new phase”.
Many of the new cases are linked to a hospital and to a religious group near the south-eastern city of Daegu, authorities have said.
Two patients in South Korea have died so far and there are fears the number will rise.
Over 20,000 Sri Lankans comprising migrant workers as well as students reside in South Korea. (Colombo Gazette)
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