South Korea's coronavirus infection cases exceed 1,000

South Korea on Wednesday reported 169 new coronavirus cases as the situation rapidly worsens in the country, taking total infections to 1,146. The death toll rose by one to 11 from the previous day. (An official in a protective suit disinfects a hall in Seoul on Feb. 25, 2020.) South Korea is on its highest alert over the outbreak of the pneumonia-causing virus, which first emerged in neighboring China, as the number of cases of infection skyrocketed from 51 a week ago. Most cases have been found in the southeastern city of Daegu and the neighboring county of Cheongdo. In Daegu, there is a cluster linked to a branch of a religious group, while in Cheongdo there is another linked to a hospital. Of the 169 newly confirmed cases, 134 were in Daegu and 19 in North Gyeongsang Province, which includes Cheongdo, according to the Health and Welfare Ministry. Some cases were confirmed in big cities such as Seoul and the southern port city of Busan. The eleventh death was a Mongolian national who died Tuesday, the ministry said in a statement, marking the first death of a foreigner in the outbreak in the country. Prime Minister Chung Sye Kyun has been staying in Daegu since Tuesday to lead the government's containment efforts. He has indicated that the government intends to contain the outbreak within four weeks. Some countries are reacting to the surge in infection cases in South Korea by imposing restrictions on entry by South Koreans. Related coverage: Japan to ban entry by foreigners who have visited Daegu, S. Korea South Korea to look into all sect members at center of outbreak Virus deaths in China tops 2,600, Hubei records more infections