Winter Olympics: 128 athletes affected by norovirus in PyeongChang and Gangneung

The number of people infected with the norovirus near Winter Olympics venues has risen to 128 on the eve of Friday's opening ceremony.

Organising committee POCOG said 42 new cases were recorded on Thursday, with 34 of them from Olympic security staff staying at a youth centre which has now seen 97 of the 128 cases overall.

The other eight new cases are from the Olympic venue areas of PyeongChang and Gangneung.

On Tuesday, about 900 soldiers were brought in to replace guards from a private security firm after the first of the firm's personnel suffered from the illness which leads to vomiting and diarrhoea.

The ill guards were diagnosed with the highly contagious norovirus infection, which can be spread through food or water contamination.

The government has strengthened hygiene inspections on restaurants and all food and beverage facilities related to the Olympics.