COVID-19 cases spike in South Korea, Russia, Iran as global deaths pass 360K
by Don JacobsonThe Rev. Daryl Gray of the Clergy Coalition hands out face masks at the Lively Stone Church of God in St. Louis on May 26. Over 125,000 masks were distributed to churches planning to reopen in June. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoA lifeguard keeps an eye on swimmers, making sure they social distance while enjoying the water at the Wapelhorst Aquatic Facility in St. Charles, Mo., on May 26. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoSeveral swimming facilities in the St. Louis area have opened due to extra restrictions because of the pandemic. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoStylist Katie Winston (R), cuts the hair of customer Dee Broderick on the sidewalk outside the 7-0-3 Salon in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 26. Although stylists and customers wear masks, the salon has offered customers the option of haircuts outdoors, for those who may have coronavirus concerns. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoEmployees wearing face shields and masks work at the Matsuya Ginza department store, which partially reopened in Tokyo on May 25. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted the state of emergency in the city. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License PhotoPeople gather at Rye Playland Beach in New York City on May 24. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License PhotoOlivette Lanes owner Don Klackner uses a mop to clean the lanes at his bowling alley in Olivette, Mo., on May 19. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoDentist Ronald Sherstoff examines a high-speed drill at his office in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 19. Sherstoff has purchased an air filtration system that destroys airborne viruses that could be caused by the drill, and all staff will use gowns, masks, gloves and face shields to protect themselves. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoStudents wear protective masks as they return to the Yankus Korchak Elementary School in Jerusalem on May 18. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoSchool attendance will be voluntary around Israel and classes returning to session will be at the discretion of local authorities. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoServer Tamara Martinez cleans containers at The Soda Fountain containing candy on the first day of operation after reopening in St. Louis on May 18. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoSoda jerk Ronell McCollum finishes making a Super Shake at the Soda Fountain. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoSalesman Drew Murphy tries out a new mattress on the showroom floor at Mattress Giant in Richmond Heights, Mo., on May 18. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoSales clerk Sarah Rhim stocks shelves with new dresses at Mister Guy for Women Clothiers in Ladue, Mo., on May 15. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoBobby Smith (L) and his wife, Boni Smith, enjoy drinks at an open restaurant in Lake Geneva, Wis., on May 15. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License PhotoThe Wisconsin Supreme Court, backed by Republican lawmakers, overturned the governor's stay-at-home order. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License PhotoOwner Robert Zanti takes a break from getting his restaurant ready for reopening after being closed for nearly two months in St. Louis on May 13. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoA man walks into a bakery in Edwardsville, Ill., on May 13. Madison County board members have agreed to reopen the county, officially going against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's statewide stay-home order. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoCook Joe Eisenbraun prepares to wrap a "Heart Attack" sandwich at Crown Candy in St. Louis on May 12. Crown Candy is serving only at curbside until the stay-at-home orders are lifted in Missouri later in the month. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoOwner Andy Karandzieff pours a milkshake at Crown Candy. The popular restaurant has reopened after four weeks. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoA mother and child wear protective masks as they walk down a street in Paris on May 12. Photo by Eco Clement/UPI | License PhotoFrance has cautiously begun to lift its lockdown this week with shops allowed to reopen, including in the capital, which still faces tight restrictions. Photo by Eco Clement/UPI | License PhotoBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson claps outside Downing Street in London to show his support for key workers during the coronavirus pandemic on May 7. Doctors released Johnson from the intensive care unit in mid-April after he spent about a week in the hospital with COVID-19 Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License PhotoShoppers wear masks in the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem on May 7. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoA security guard checks the temperature of a woman before granting her entrance to the Rami Levy Atarot Mall near Jerusalem. The Atarot Mall is the first Israeli-Palestinian Mall. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoIsrael opened malls and outdoor markets after more than 40 days of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoCustomers have their hair washed at JF Hair Co. in Union, Mo., on May 6. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoStylist Chrissy Whitley trims the hair of customer Mark Nolting at JF Hair Co. The salon reopened on May 4 after being closed since March 23. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoPeople visit the beach after the the city relaxed restrictions in Isle of Palms, S.C, on May 6. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License PhotoThe beach reopened for the first time since March. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License PhotoNicholas Calio, president and CEO of Airlines for America, uses disinfecting wipes before testifying before a hearing on the pandemic's impact on the aviation industry May 6 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Photo by Jim Watson/UPI | License PhotoWorkers wipe down chairs between Senate committee hearings in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. Photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License PhotoSenate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., talks to reporters at a distance after the Senate reconvened following an extended recess due to the pandemic on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on May 4. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License PhotoSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks to the Senate chambers. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License PhotoSen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, talks to reporters as the Senate reconvened. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License PhotoPeter Wolff, owner of the The Gift Nook store, looks down Main Street for customers in St. Charles, Mo., on May 4. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoPeople enjoy ice cream at Kilwins as others walk on the sidewalk in St. Charles. The shop on Historic Main Street has reopened with other selected businesses after being closed for nearly two months by an emergency state order aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoJeweler Tom Wapelhorst arranges a display in his front window at Walters Jeweler in St. Charles. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoDon (L) and Robin Piatt sit on an elevated outdoor porch, toasting each other on their wedding anniversary, at Lewis and Clark's Restaurant in St. Charles. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoCustomers have lunch inside El Toro Mexican restaurant in Clute, Texas on May 3. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License PhotoRestaurants in Texas were allowed to reopen their diving rooms at 25 percent capacity starting on May 1 as the state began easing restrictions based on COVID-19. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License PhotoA customer looks at merchandise inside the Boot Barn clothing store in Lake Jackson, Texas on May 3. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License PhotoShoppers return to Northpark Mall in Dallas on May 1. Elbow bumps have become the new handshake. Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License PhotoWorkers open their store in Firewheel Town Center in Garland, Texas on May 1. Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License PhotoMissed delivery tags hang on a storefront in Firewheel Town Center. While stores and restaurants may reopen under strict health and social distancing guidelines in Texas, many have chosen not to. Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License PhotoA hairstylist and his client wear protective face masks and gloves at a salon in Jerusalem on May 1. Israel has eased some coronavirus restrictions, allowing small stores and beauty salons to open, while maintaining the strict social distancing rules. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoPedestrians wear mandatory face masks and gloves while shopping in Jerusalem. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoPedestrians no longer practice "social distancing" but continue to wear protective face masks while visiting a popular entertainment district in Beijing on April 26. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License PhotoFlorida has allowed some of the states beaches to reopen, including this one along the Space Coast near Cocoa Beach on April 26. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License PhotoA couple from Central Florida stroll along the surf near Cocoa Beach. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License PhotoA child wades in the ocean at Cocoa Beach. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License PhotoPedestrians walk closely together in Beijing on April 19. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License PhotoNewlyweds pose for wedding photos without wearing protective face masks as the government has declared the peak threat of the COVID-19 outbreak has passed in Beijing on April 19. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License PhotoA couple continues wearing protective face masks next to a police checkpoint in Beijing on April 15. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License PhotoForeign correspondents undergo a COVID-19 infection test by Chinese doctors wearing hazmat suits at the closing ceremony of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
May 29 (UPI) -- South Korea struggled to contain a spike in new COVID-19 cases while Iran and Russia each logged significantly higher numbers Friday as the worldwide death toll from the pandemic surpassed 360,000.
In South Korea, health officials reported more than 50 new virus cases for a second consecutive day, following a two-month high of 79 new cases.
The developments put more pressure on the government to reimpose widespread quarantine restrictions in the densely populated capital of Seoul, where most of the new cases were tied to an outbreak at a logistics center.
Following six weeks of strict lockdowns, South Korea eased the rules on May 6, allowing residents to engage in normal life, albeit with guidelines.
But those guidelines were tightened for Seoul beginning Friday and lasting through June 14. They include the closing of some schools, as well as parks, art galleries and museums.
Vice Health Minister Kim Ganglip said the next two weeks will be used to gauge if the latest spike can be brought under control in the capital and if a reimposition of widespread lockdowns is needed.
The worldwide death toll reached 360,000, according to disease trackers at Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Well over 5.4 million cases around the world had been recorded as of Friday morning.
Some 232 coronavirus patients died during the previous 24 hours, they said, pushing the country's total death toll to more than 4,300.
More than 8,500 new infections were confirmed. At nearly 388,000, Russia has the third-highest reported total in the world after the United States and Brazil, according to Johns Hopkins University.
In Iran, the health ministry reported the sharpest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases since April.
More than 2,800 new cases were recorded on Thursday, bringing the nation's total caseload to nearly 147,000. About 2,500 of them are in serious condition.
Fifty more deaths were registered, raising Iran's death toll to 7,677.
