South Korea detects new COVID-19 cluster

ANKARA (AA) - South Korea on Wednesday detected a new cluster of novel coronavirus cases in the country's southeastern port city of Busan, local media reported.

More than 50 patients and workers at a nursing hospital in Busan have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Busan, South Korea's second-largest city with a population of 3.4 million, has so far reported 486 coronavirus cases and four deaths from the disease.

Local authorities said 43 patients and 10 staff of a hospital located in the city's Mandeok neighborhood have so far tested positive for the virus.

This is the first time in the city that more than 50 infections have been traced to a single location, the agency reported.

The last cluster was reported after the government eased coronavirus restrictions and relaxed social distancing measures on Monday from the second to the first level, allowing clubs, karaoke rooms, bars and buffet restaurants to operate normally.

During the last 24 hours, South Korea recorded 84 new infections, raising the total caseload to 24,889, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

With four more fatalities, deaths also rose to 438, while 23,030 people have recovered.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid