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15 New Coronavirus Cases in S. Korea, As Epidemic Threatens Economy

William Gallo

   SEOUL - South Korea reported 15 new cases of the coronavirus Wednesday,
   intensifying concerns of an outbreak following a lull in reported South
   Korean infections.

   A total of 46 people in South Korea have been infected with the highly
   contagious virus, which causes a pneumonia-like illness recently named
   COVID-19. South Korean health officials this week warned of a possible
   "new phase" of the outbreak, following five days in which no new
   infections were reported.

   Thirteen of the latest cases are in the area around Daegu, South
   Korea's fourth largest city, according to the Korea Centers for Disease
   Control and Prevention (KCDC).

   More than 1,000 people are being checked for the virus or are under
   quarantine, the Yonhap news agency reported Wednesday, citing figures
   from the KCDC. The virus has killed more than 2,000 people and infected
   more than 75,000 worldwide. Almost all of the infections have been in
   China.

   No South Koreans are reported to have died from the virus. Twelve of
   the patients have made full recoveries and were discharged from
   quarantine. But the virus could have a major impact on South Korea's
   economy, which was already experiencing lagging growth.

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