The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said on Friday that it confirmed four additional patients infected with the new coronavirus, increasing the total to 11.

“Adding one more patient early Friday, we have now confirmed 11 patients affected by the new coronavirus,” the KCDC said. “The eighth patient is a 62-year-old woman, who arrived at Incheon International Airport from Wuhan via Qingdao on Jan. 23.”

The patient is receiving treatment at Wonkwang University Hospital in North Jeolla Province, the KCDC said.

The three other additional patients contacted either the fifth or sixth confirmed patients, it added.

“The fifth confirmed patient contacted 10 people, and after conducting tests, one of the infected, an acquaintance, tested positive for the virus,” the KCDC said. “The sixth confirmed patient came to contact with eight people, and two of them tested positive for the virus.”

The agency added that it is conducting an epidemiological investigation on the newly confirmed patients and will announce results as soon as possible.

“Early detection is important to block community dissemination,” KCDC Director Jung Eun-kyeong said. “Please refrain from outdoor activities if you have visited China during the past two weeks and call the KCDC hotline or local public health center if you show symptoms of fever or respiratory symptoms.”

Jung also asked medical institutions to make the most of the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) and International Traveler Information System (ITS) before seeing patients at the hospital.

“I hope physicians will wear appropriate protective gear when treating a patient suspected of having the new coronavirus,” she added.

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