eFM News

[Anchor]

South Korea has confirmed its second case of a new strain of coronavirus from China.

This comes just four days after it reported its first infection.

The country is maintaining a high level of vigilance to prevent the spread of the pneumonia-like illness amid concerns that infections could grow over the busy Lunar New Year holiday.

Julie Sohn has more.

[Reporter]

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a man in his 50s has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

He arrived at Gimpo International Airport on Wednesday from the Chinese city of Wuhan and has been monitored after showing symptoms of the illness.

The KCDC is currently conducting an in-depth epidemiological investigation into the patient.

This marks the second confirmed case in the country and comes amid growing fears that the SARS-like virus is spreading quickly and widely throughout China and to other parts of the world.

China's National Health Commission said the virus has so far killed at least 25 and infected more than 830.

Chinese authorities also confirmed the first death outside Hubei Province where the unidentified respiratory illness was initially reported last month.

Beijing has stressed that it's mobilizing all its resources to contain the disease and has taken steps to close off a handful of cities near Wuhan to control the spread.

Julie Sohn, eFM News.■

<Image: Yonhap News>