2nd virus death reported in South Korea

South Korea reported the second death of a coronavirus patient on Friday as infections almost quadrupled in just three days, prompting the health authorities to declare that the outbreak is in the initial stage of community spread, albeit still "manageable."

A worker wearing protective gears sprays disinfectant against the coronavirus in South Korea. Source: AAP

he country reported 100 new cases of the novel coronavirus as of 4 p.m. on Friday, bringing the total number to 204, the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.

But a few more virus cases, not officially counted by the health authorities, were also reported in many cities.

A woman in her mid-50s, who was confirmed to be infected with the virus, died at a hospital in the southeastern city of Busan at around 6 p.m., hospital officials said.

She had been bedridden with chronic pneumonia at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo County and was transferred to Busan National University Hospital after she tested positive for the virus earlier Friday.