(LEAD) S. Korea reports 12th confirmed case of novel coronavirus
(ATTN: UPDATES with more info throughout)
SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Saturday reported its 12th confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, as the country tightens quarantine efforts to stem the spread of the contagious disease.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), the latest case involves a 49-year-old Chinese man who works as a tour guide in Japan and arrived in the country on Jan. 19 through Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul.
The KCDC said the man was acquainted with a Japanese person infected with the virus, indicating that he may be another person-to-person transmission case. It said that the Japanese acquaintance had urged the man to go to a hospital to be checked.
"He visited a hospital here where tests showed he was infected and has since been placed under quarantine," the public health agency said.
It said every effort is being made to determine details of his whereabouts while in the country and people he may have come in contact with, adding more information of the case will be provided later.
South Korea confirmed its first coronavirus case on Jan. 20, with the second incident being reported on Jan. 24, followed by one each on Sunday and Monday. The country said two more cases were recorded Thursday, with five being announced Friday.
The KCDC said that as of early Saturday, the virus, which is thought to have originated in Wuhan, China, killed 259 people and infected around 12,000 people worldwide.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
1 
(News Focus) In Seoul, buying face masks becomes easier as rationing system settles
-
2 
Seoul residents want tougher anti-infection rules for churches, karaoke rooms, gyms: poll
-
3 
Seoul city to take legal measure against virus rule-breaching church
-
4 
SUPERNOVA leader tests positive for COVID-19 as 1st infected entertainer
-
5 
(2nd LD) Seoul extends social distancing drive for 2 weeks amid continued spread of virus
-
1 (URGENT) PM says all entrants from overseas must be in two-week quarantine from April 1
-
2 
(4th LD) S. Korea to expand stricter quarantine to all arrivals from overseas
-
3 
(News Focus) In Seoul, buying face masks becomes easier as rationing system settles
-
4 
Gov't mulling financial support for 10 mln households in wake of coronavirus
-
5 
Lawmakers push to impose stronger punishment on digital sex criminals
-
1 
Over 8,000 audience members to be monitored after musical actors test positive for coronavirus
-
2 
(LEAD) S. Korea reports 94 more coronavirus infection cases, total now at 10,156
-
3
(2nd LD) Seoul extends social distancing drive for 2 weeks amid continued spread of virus
-
4
(2nd LD) S. Korea reports 94 more coronavirus infection cases, total now at 10,156
-
5 
S. Korea voices deep concern over Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia
