eFM News

[Anchor]

Three more coronavirus patients in South Korea have been released today after making full recoveries.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the country's third, eighth and 17th confirmed cases tested negative for the virus twice.

That means a total of seven patients have been cured of the illness while 21 remain under quarantine for treatment.

Ron Chang has the details.

[Reporter]

The country's third confirmed patient, a 54-year-old South Korean man who visited Wuhan last month, was discharged earlier today.

As he left the hospital, he told reporters that he feels great.

He's the fifth patient to be released in South Korea.

For coronavirus patients to be lifted from quarantine in Korea, they must not show any symptoms for at least 48 hours and test negative for the virus two consecutive times.

Then, medical staff at the hospital makes the final decision on whether to release the patients.

The eighth patient is a Korean woman in her 60s who tested negative for the virus first before a second test came back positive while the 17th patient is a 37-year-old Korean man who returned to the country after attending a business conference in Singapore.

Meanwhile, most of the 21 patients infected with the coronavirus are in stable condition.

KCDC Director Jung Eun-kyeong said no one has needed to use respirators or receive intensive care.

Ron Chang, eFM News.■

<Image: Yonhap News>