Seven new MERS cases reported, 15 dead

South Korea reported Sunday seven new cases of the MERS virus in an outbreak that has killed 15 people, as one citizen was hospitalised in Slovakia after being suspected of carrying the disease there.

The new cases put the total number of infections of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in South Korea at 145, the health ministry said.

Four of the new cases were infected in Samsung Medical Centre in Seoul, one of the country's largest hospitals where more than 70 people have contracted the virus, it said.

Separately a paramedic who helped transport a MERS patient to the hospital on June 7 was infected. On Saturday, authorities announced that the ambulance driver also involved in transporting the patient -- who died three days later -- had also been infected.

One of the other new patients was infected in the central city of Daejeon and another in Hwaseong, about 43 kilometres (27 miles) south of Seoul.

The ministry reported no new fatalities, and said 10 patients so far had recovered and been released from hospital.

In order to prevent further infections among patients and medical staff, Samsung hospital on Sunday temporarily suspended most of its operations.

It will stop treating outpatients, admitting new patients, or performing surgeries that are not deemed urgent, hospital president Song Jae-Hoon told reporters.

No visitors will be allowed, he said, adding he would decide on June 24 whether or not to continue the partial suspension.