The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced it will transfer or release all of its missionaries out of two Chinese cities amid concerns over a new virus that originated in the country. There are 125 missionaries combined in Hong Kong and Macau.
Officials say the church’s Missionary Department would temporarily reassign 113 missionaries from the China Hong Kong Mission to other missions, sending home those who were close to completing their service.
An additional 12 missionaries, who are Hong Kong natives, will be released from service until the danger from the virus passes.
The announcement came before Hong Kong reported its first death Wednesday because of the virus.
The outbreak has killed 490 people in China and infected more than 24,500 people globally.
