BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Sunday reported 123 more confirmed cases of COVID-19 and a fourth death, according to Yonhap News Agency. This brings the total number of infections in the country to 556.

The number of COVID-19 infections soared over the weekend. The country on Friday declared the southeastern city of Daegu and its adjacent county Cheongdo as "special care zones."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Korea (KCDC), among the 123 new cases, 63 cases have been linked to the outbreak at a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the country's fourth-largest city Daegu. More than 1,000 people who attended the church have reported flu-like symptoms so far.

Officials are also investigating a possible link between churchgoers and the spike in infections at the Cheongdo hospital, where more than 110 people have been infected so far, mostly patients at a mental illness ward.

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun called the situation in the country "grave" and urged citizens to cooperate with the government and avoid large gatherings.

"The government will sternly deal with acts that interfere with quarantine efforts, illegal hoarding of hygiene goods and acts that spark uneasiness through massive rallies," Chung warned in a nationally televised address.

By Saturday, the virus had been identified in two more countries, Lebanon and Israel, bringing the spread to 28 countries. The death toll in Iran rose to six, the highest outside of China, and the number of confirmed cases there reached 28.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a press briefing that "window is narrowing" to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, but there are still hopes.