(VOVworld) – The Republic of Korea reported two more deaths from Middle East Respiratory Syndromes (MERS), and one new confirmed case on Friday, bringing the death toll to 31 and the total number of infections to 181.

South Korean medical workers wear protective gear at a separated clinic centre for MERS at Konkuk University Hospital in Seoul on June 24, 2015. (Photo: AFP/Jung Yeon-je)

 The Health Ministry said the new case involved a doctor at Seoul’s Samsung Medical Center, the hospital to which nearly half of all the infections have been traced back. The two fatalities were women, aged 79 and 80. The ministry said over 90% of all MERS-related deaths in the Republic of Korea have involved people with existing health problems which were worsened by MERS.

Of the 181 people diagnosed with the deadly virus, 81 have recovered and 69 are still being treated, including 13 listed in critical condition.