South Korea closes churches as COVID-19 tally passes 3,500

Churches in South Korea did not hold Sunday services, and instead, offered prayers online amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

Of the 376 new cases, more than 300 were from the city of Daegu, where a church is at the centre of the outbreak.

Authorities added that the death toll of 17 remained unchanged, with the total number of infections at 3,526.

Earlier, health officials urged South Koreans to remain indoors this weekend, warning of a "critical moment" in the battle on the virus.

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in vowed greater efforts, including an extra budget, to fight the outbreak.