Death toll in coronavirus rises to 2462

The novel coronavirus has continued to spread around the world, with concerns of growing infection clusters in South Korea, Singapore and Japan, even as the worst of the outbreak remains focused in mainland China.

As of Sunday, the number of confirmed cases of the virus is nearing 80,000. The number of deaths stands at 2,462. Of those, 20 occurred outside mainland China.

Authorities in South Korea confirmed an additional 123 cases Sunday, bringing the total to over 550. Five deaths have occurred in the country. The majority of cases are associated with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus religious group, in the southern city of Daegu.

Elsewhere in Asia, both Japan and Singapore have reported dozens of cases. In Europe, an outbreak has been confirmed in Italy, where 62 cases and two deaths have been reported, while in the Middle East, Iranian authorities have confirmed 28 cases and five deaths from the virus.

The World Health Organization-led joint mission working on coronavirus in China arrived in Wuhan on Saturday. The city at the center of the outbreak has been reporting less new cases in recent days, but tens of thousands of people remain hospitalized there.

People quarantined on board the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Yokohama, Japan, have continued arriving home. But there are concerns the quarantine failed, after numerous passengers tested positive on arrival in both the US and Australia.

Source: Agencies

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