S. Korea reports no MERS infection for 10 days, no death for 4 days

South Korea reported no new case of infection with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) for 10 straight days Wednesday, indicating the end of the MERS crisis nearing, the health ministry said.

The total contagion cases have stayed unchanged at 186 since July 6, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The spread of the MERS corona virus recently showed signs of abating. In the past 18 days, only four cases were reported. The government may declare an end to the MERS crisis no later than early-August.

The death toll had no change at 36 for four days in a row, leaving the fatality rate at 19.4 percent.

One more patient was discharged from a hospital as he completely recovered after being infected. The combined discharge number increased to 132.

Excluding the dead and those discharged, 18 patients are under treatment. Among them, four are in unstable conditions.

The number of those quarantined fell from 410 on Tuesday to 322 on Wednesday.