On Monday, thousands of South Korean schools reopened after they were shut as a result of concerns over Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

This decision has been taken as the country is returning to normal nearly after month into an outbreak that now seems to be slowing down.

On Monday, the Health Ministry reported five new cases of the condition; with this, the count reached 150, the largest outbreak outside Saudi Arabia. According to the ministry, another patient who was infected by MERS virus had become the 16th case of death.

Four hospitals have been closed completely or partially in order to stop the spread of the outbreak. According to reports, on Monday, at least 440 schools remained closed whereas 2,900 were shut on Friday.

On Monday, South Korean President Park Geun-hye pushed the country for returning to normal. Geun-hye’s approval rating has been hit over response of the government to MERS.

She said in a meeting of senior aides, "I ask the business community, too, to continue to go on with investment, production and management activities as normal and particularly help with ensuring that consumers don't hold back from spending money".

According to a Realmeter poll, Park saw her public support rating fall under 35% last week when she postponed a scheduled visit to the United States.

Her government has been condemned as it denied releasing the name of the hospital where infected and suspected patients had been staying in the early days of the outbreak. It led to confusion and fear among people.