Over 370 more test positive for coronavirus bringing total to 3,526

Another 376 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Korea on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 3,526.

Most of the new infections – 359 – were reported in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the epicenter of the virus outbreak in Korea. Five were reported in Seoul, five in South Chungcheong, three in South Gyeongsang, two in Gyeonggi, and one each in Busan and North Chungcheong.

So far there have been 17 fatalities from the virus, with the latest victim being a 77-year-old man who died Saturday.

In Daegu, there is a severe shortage of hospital beds to accommodate the outburst of new patients. Of the 2,569 total number of patients reported in Daegu, only 898 have been hospitalized so far, while 1,662 remain quarantined in their homes as they await openings.

Health authorities say they will prioritize those with severe symptoms of the virus, and that a 24-hour hotline service is in operation to keep in contact with all patients.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 96,000 people in Korea have so far been tested for the virus. Health authorities said 61,037 people tested negative for the virus, and that they are awaiting results for 32,422 others.

BY SHIM KYU-SEOK [shim.kyuseok@joongang.co.kr]