LOC13:20
10:20 GMT
TOKYO, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- A total of 31 South Koreans who recently made a group pilgrimage to Israel have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, South Korea's health authorities said Monday, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Of 39 Catholic pilgrims who visited Israel between February 8 and 16; 13 were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Monday, while the other 18 were confirmed positive and quarantined last week, North Gyeongsang Province's municipal health authorities said. Local health authorities warned that there is a risk of secondary infections as most of them went to public places after they returned from the pilgrimage tour.
The authorities said they are also keeping close tabs on a separate group of pilgrims that is scheduled to arrive in South Korea later in the day. This group departed for Israel on February 13. It has yet to be confirmed how the South Korean pilgrims contracted the coronavirus. Israel on Saturday barred 130 Koreans from entering the country without any prior notice after they landed in Tel Aviv.
As of Monday afternoon, South Korea has so far reported 833 coronavirus cases, along with seven virus-related deaths. (end)
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