COVID-19 epidemic on February 24: Korea added 161 new cases, 7 people died

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said on February 24 that the country had added new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, bringing the total number of cases to 763. In addition, KCDC also announced 7th death due to disease.
WHO specialist to Italy

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte urged people not to panic about information about cases and deaths, and to follow the recommendations of the health sector.

Eleven towns, 10 in Lombardy and one near Veneto are blocked, around 50,000 residents are banned from moving. Local authorities also requested meeting places, crowded with people such as bars, restaurants, and dance places to close. Schools in epidemic zones will be closed this week.

Major events such as Milan fashion week, Venice Carnival, and Serie A soccer matches are also postponed.

Most of the infections in Italy are thought to have involved a 38-year-old man, believed to be patient number 1. This person is being treated in an intensive care unit. He had dinner with another person who went to China in January 2020 but tested for corona virus negative results.

Experts from the World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control are expected to arrive in Italy on April 25.

Add new cases in the UK, Israel

In the UK, four passengers tested positive for SAR-CoV-19 on February 23 after being evacuated from the cruise ship Diamond Princess in Japan.

Israel also confirmed a second case, the patient was also among the returning passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The first case was reported on February 21.

Japan continues to record 57 new infections aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship

In Japan, the Ministry of Health confirmed 57 new cases on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, in addition to 1 additional death.

So far, Japan has recorded 838 cases of COVID-19 infections, including 691 people on board Diamond Princess yacht and 14 Japanese citizens returning from Wuhan city (China).

Four patients died, 3 of which were related to the Diamond Princess cruise ship and the patients were around 80 years old.