South Korea reported a tenth MERS death on Thursday, as the outbreak of the potentially deadly virus forced the central bank to cut its key interest rate to ward off greater economic damage, as retailers report a slump in business.
In what has become the largest outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outside Saudi Arabia, a 65-year-old man died Thursday after being infected with the virus while receiving treatment for lung cancer at a hospital.
Seoul also reported 14 new cases, including the first infection of a pregnant woman. The new diagnoses brought to 122 the total number of confirmed cases in South Korea, the health ministry said. Businesses including shopping malls, restaurants and cinemas have reported a sharp drop in sales as people shun public venues with large crowds.