In brief: MERS in S. Korea claims sixth person

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea today reported its sixth death from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome as authorities were bolstering measures to stem the spread of the virus that has left dozens of people infected.

A total of 87 people in South Korea have been infected by MERS since last month in the largest outbreak outside the Middle East. About 1,870 schools have closed and more than 2,000 people are isolated at their homes or state-run facilities after having contact with patients infected with the virus.

An 80-year-old man, who tested positive for the virus last week while being treated for pneumonia, died today and became the country’s sixth death linked to MERS, according to a statement from the Health Ministry.

Departing from its earlier policy, the government on Sunday disclosed the names of the 24 hospitals where the MERS patients have been diagnosed or had been treated before their condition was confirmed. This will allow people who have visited those facilities in recent weeks to report themselves if they are showing symptoms, officials said.

Blanco weakens to tropical storm

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico – Hurricane Blanca was downgraded to a tropical storm Sunday as it neared the Baja California Peninsula, where residents boarded up home and storefront windows in preparation for the heavy rains and high winds that were forecast to lash a wide area, including the resorts of Los Cabos.

Blanca was expected to pass to the west of the peninsula’s southern tip, moving near or along its southwestern coastline at Sunday night and today.

Mountain quake death toll now 16

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The death toll from an earthquake that trapped scores of climbers on Malaysia’s highest peak rose to 16 today as rescuers searched for two Singaporean climbers still missing.

A magnitude-5.9 earthquake Friday sent rocks and boulders raining down the trekking routes on 13,435-foot Mount Kinabalu in eastern Sabah state on Borneo island.

Nine of the bodies found Saturday were flown out by helicopter, while two were carried down, police said. Five more bodies have now been recovered. State tourism minister Masidi Manjun said the victims were seven Singaporeans, six Malaysians, and a Filipino, Chinese and Japanese national each.