South Korea 'on brink of nationwide outbreak'

South Korea, a country held up as a model for its response to Covid-19, is on the brink of a new nationwide outbreak, according to officials.

The latest outbreak of coronavirus cases centred around a right-wing Presbyterian church has spread to all 17 provinces throughout the country for the first time.

Each day brings a new three digit virus total.

Social distancing rules have been stepped up. Masks are now mandatory in Seoul. The government is also considering whether to close schools and businesses.

Infectious diseases experts in the country have called on the government to step up social distancing measures even further, warning that "hospital beds are quickly filling up and the medical system is nearing its limits".

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has admitted that about 20% of all new cases are of unknown origin - despite the country's efficient contact tracing system which can track down around 1,000 potentially infected patients in an hour.

South Korea's fight against Covid-19 began in February after an outbreak at a Christian cult called the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the city of Daegu, about 200km (124 miles) south of Seoul. Within weeks, the outbreak was under control.

But things are different this time.