South Korea reported an additional four cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome on Friday, bringing to 126 the total number of people here diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease.
The four new patients were infected while visiting hospitals affected by MERS, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
All 126 confirmed cases so far have occurred in hospitals, meaning the disease has not infiltrated into the daily lives of people, the ministry said.
Still, over 3,800 people were in isolation as of Thursday for possible infection after coming in close contact with a MERS patient or visiting one of the hospitals affected by the viral respiratory illness.
The number, however, dropped to 3,680 on Friday, marking the first drop since the outbreak was initially confirmed on May 20.
The fall came as a growing number of people previously isolated for possible infection are being released after testing negative for MERS or developing no symptoms over the maximum incubation period of 14 days, according to ministry officials.
As of Friday, 1,249 people have been released from isolation.
The officials said the drop may also be a sign that the spread of the disease is now on the wane.
They said the upcoming weekend may become a turning point in the battle against MERS as the rise in the number of newly infected people has also slowed to four on Friday from 14 on the previous day.
Also, no additional fatality was reported overnight with the total number of MERS-related deaths currently standing at 10, they noted.
As hospitals have been identified as a major and only source of infection so far, the government has released the names of all hospitals and clinics affected by MERS. There were 55 facilities as of Thursday.
To help small and medium-sized hospitals suffering from a shutdown or loss of patients, the government said it will provide emergency relief funds.
The government earlier said it will provide up to 400 billion won ($360 million) in such funds for businesses and communities affected by MERS.
MERS is a viral respiratory illness that is fairly new to humans with the first case reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Some 1,100 cases have since been reported in about 20 countries, mostly in and around the Middle East. (Yonhap)
