MERS death toll rises to 31 in the RoK outbreak, one new case
Two more patients with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus have died, the Republic of Korea's health ministry said on June 26 bringing the total fatality to 31.
The ministry also reported one new case, taking the total to 181 in an outbreak that is the largest outside Saudi Arabia.
The new fatalities had pre-existing health problems, according to the health ministry. Most of the deaths have been elderly patients or those who had existing illnesses.
The Republic of Korea (RoK) announced a financial package of more than US$13 billion on June 25, including a supplementary budget, designed to boost growth as a deadly outbreak of the MERS virus adds pressure on the already shaky economy.
Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan said although there were concerns a supplementary budget could hurt fiscal soundness, it would be better for the economy long-term.
"We were contemplating a supplementary budget to make up for tax revenue shortfall as global growth had been very weak from the start of the year. Then MERS happened and we had to do it," said Finance Minister Choi. .
A finance ministry director told Reuters much of the funding for the supplementary budget would come from sales of short-term treasury bonds. The government aims to present a finalised supplementary budget by early July.