(VOVworld) – The Republic of Korea reported Monday 2 more deaths in its Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak and 3 new cases, bringing Korea’s death toll to 27 and its number of infections to 172.

Policemen wearing masks to prevent contracting MERS stand guard in front of Japanese Embassy in Seoul, June 22, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

The Ministry of Health says more than 90 percent of all fatalities have involved old people or people with existing health problems that were apparently worsened by MERS. New MERS cases appear to stem from contact with MERS patients at the hospitals.