SEOUL, June 22 (Xinhua) -- South Korean reported three more cases of infection with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and two deaths on Monday, bringing the total contagion cases to 172 and the death toll to 27.

Among the three new cases was the 171st patient, who tested positive 10 days after the incubation period of two weeks, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The 60-year-old woman was infected after visiting an emergency room of the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul for three days through May 29.

Two more infectees passed away, raising the fatality rate to 15. 7 percent. The two men of old age already suffered from other illnesses like cancer.

Seven more patients were released from hospitals as they recovered after being infected, raising the total discharge number to 50.

The number of those quarantined slid from 4,035 on Sunday to 3, 833 on Monday, keeping a downward trend for four days in a row.