▲ Jeju governor Won Hee-ryong briefs press about the Jeju MERS scare. Photo courtesy Jeju Sori

The Shilla Jeju, Jungmun, closed its doors to business on Thursday after a 40-year-old domestic tourist tested positive for MERS. The man had stayed at the hotel, which is affiliated with Samsung Group, between June 5-8.

After returning to Seoul, symptoms began to show on June 9. He was then visited at home and tested by Gangnam Public Health Center. The positive results came back on June 13 and he was confirmed as the 141st person to be diagnosed with MERS across the country.

The virus has an incubation period of two to 14 days and the likelihood of contagion is thought to be extremely low before the onset of symptoms. The virus does also not appear to pass easily from person to person. according to WHO guidelines.

An emergency epidemiological survey is currently being undertaken at the Jungmun hotel, which is inside one of the country’s most popular tourist resorts.

Of the 34 people identified who had close contact with the patient, 31 have been quarantined at home. This includes his spouse and son who have shown no symptoms.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it is tracing anyone else who has had close contact with the patient and Jeju MERS Control and Prevention Headquarters released details of the man’s Jeju itinerary.

June 5, 2pm: Arrives on flight KE1223 at 2pm to Jeju International Airport
June 5, 5pm: Collects his rental car at 5pm to arrive at The Shilla Jeju by 6pm.
June 6 (am): Eats in the morning at the hotel buffet
June 6 (pm): Has evening meal at Samdado raw fish restaurant, Haeando-ro (coastal road), Jeju City.
June 7, 11am: Visits Cocomong Eco Park, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo City
June 7, 3pm: Visits Jocheon-eup horseriding park
June 7, 5pm: Returns to The Shilla Jeju
June 8 (am): Has breakfast at The Shilla Jeju
June 8 (pm): Goes by rental car to Jeju International Airport for 4pm flight KE1238

The man is thought to have contracted the virus after a May 27 visit to Samsung Medical Center's Urology Department where his father was an outpatient. Around half of the country's 166 MERS cases can be traced to the country's first MERS case at the hospital.

Anyone with suspected MERS symptoms (click here) should not attend a hospital. Instead call Jeju Public Health Center (064-750-4170) and await a house visit.

Nationwide fatalities currently number 23 after three deaths were reported on June 18. All 49 people tested for the MERS virus on Jeju Island have tested negative.