South Korea reported its 16th death Monday and five new infections in the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

The Health Ministry said the total number of cases, including the 16 deaths, rose to 150, with 17 patients in unstable condition.

So far all of the infections have occurred in medical facilities and those who have died have had pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes.

One of South Korea’s largest, most prestigious hospitals in the capital, Seoul, partially suspended operations on Monday after the deadly virus took foothold in the facility.

Samsung Hospital president Song Jae-hoon told a televised news conference on Sunday that the hospital would suspend all non-emergency surgeries and not accept new patients.  He said no visitors will be allowed, and added that he would decide on June 24 whether to continue the suspension.

A team of World Health Organization experts said on Saturday that although the number of MERS infections was declining, the outbreak was “large and complex” and more cases should be expected.

Thousands thought to have come into contact with infected individuals have been placed under quarantine.

Meanwhile, Reuters news agency reports that thousands of schools that had been closed by concern about MERS reopened Monday.

The outbreak has prompted President Park Geun-hye to postpone this week’s planned visit to the United States.

Fears over the virus have also spread to other parts of Asia, including Hong Kong, which last week issued a “red alert” advising against non-essential travel to South Korea.

Public alarm has been widespread, in part because of false online rumors and also because MERS symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath – all of which are typically associated with non-serious illnesses such as the common cold.

There is no vaccine or cure for MERS, which has a fatality rate of around 35 percent, according to the World Health Organization.

The coronavirus is related to the one that infected thousands during the 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. MERS was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and has spread to several other countries. 
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