South Korea seals off 2 hospitals where patients were treated for infection

In the wake of the raging MERS outbreak in South Korea, the government has sealed off 2 hospitals where patients were treated of the disease.

The outbreak which has been described as the biggest outside the Middle East started from a 68-year old man who returned from South Korea on a business trip.

The man had visited several health centres for treatment of a nagging cough and fever before he was diagnosed, leaving a trail of infection in his wake.

This is what has prompted the government to seal off the 2 hospitals with at least 133 patients and staff inside.

According to a city official who spoke on the condition of anonymity,

"No patients can get out of their rooms, nurses in protective gear are giving them food. No one can get in from outside."

The Korean health ministry said all but one of South Korea's cases have been confirmed as originating with the businessman, who was diagnosed with MERS on May 20, and the last one is likely to be confirmed as such too.

In the 3 weeks since the disease was reported in the country, 126 people have been infected even as health officials reported 4 new cases today (Friday). 11 people have also died of the deadly virus.