South Korea coronavirus cases rise for first time in 5 days

South Korea anunced its first rise in new coronavirus cases for five days on Wednesday, following a run of declines that have raised hopes outbreak is coming under control.

South was first country to report significant coronavirus numbers outside China, where disease first emerged, and remains one of world's worst-affected countries despite being overtaken by both Italy and Iran in declared cases.

A total of 242 infections were confirmed Tuesday, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said, taking South's total to 7,755. Six more people died, it ded, with toll rising to 60.

Each morning South anunces how many cases were diagsed previous day, and Tuesday's figure marked first daily rise after four consecutive days of decline.

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increase was still well below 500-600 a day country was confirming in early March, but authorities have warned against letting guards down with a continuing risk of small cluster infections.

At least 90 people working at a call centre in capital or ir relatives have tested positive for virus as of Tuesday, said Seoul mayor Park Won-soon.

"It's largest cluster infection in Seoul," Park told a rio interview on Wednesday, ding tests were being conducted on around 550 people working in same building.

Scores of events -- from K-pop concerts to sports matches -- have been cancelled or postponed over contagion, with school and kindergarten breaks extended by three weeks nationwide.

More than 60 percent of country's cases are linked to Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a religious sect often condemned as a cult.

One of its members attended at least four services before being diagsed. 

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