South Korea's health minister has apologized for failing to halt an outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. the number of confirmed cases in South Korea has risen to 15.
Health Minister Moon Hyung-Pyo promised "utmost efforts" to curb the spread of the disease, saying this week would be critical in achieving that. Health officials have come under fire for allowing an infected man to travel to China despite warnings from doctors. The number of Chinese citizens confirmed to have had close contact with the man has risen to 47. All of them have been placed in quarantine.
And in Hong Kong, 18 plane passengers will be in quarantine for two weeks in a holiday village. Hong Kong Health authorities say the immigration department is tracking down 11 more passengers, and could also force them to be quarantined.
