LOC09:11
06:11 GMT
TOKYO, March 31 (KUNA) -- South Korea reported 125 new cases of the novel coronavirus Tuesday, bringing the nation's total infections to 9,786, driven by a steady rise in cluster infections and imported cases, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The death toll rose by four to 162, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Of the 125 new cases, 60 were in Daegu, about 300km southeast of Seoul, following mass infections at a hospital. Seoul reported 24 additional cases, while 15 new cases came from overseas at quarantine checkpoints, the public health agency said.
To better contain imported cases, South Korea will enforce a two-week mandatory quarantine on all entrants from overseas starting Wednesday. Under the new measure, all arrivals to the country regardless of nationality are required to stay in isolation for 14 days. Amid persistent concerns over infections in communities, the government said online classes will start on April 9. The new academic year usually starts in early March, but the country had already postponed it three times over the spread of the novel coronavirus. (end)
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