The Second Domestic Confirmed Case of Wuhan Pneumonia... A Korean in His 50s Returned from China (Update)

Passengers on a flight departing from Wuhan, China, are arriving at Sydney Airport, Australia, wearing masks on the 23rd.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The second confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection, commonly known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' has been reported in South Korea.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced on the 24th, "The second confirmed patient is a 55-year-old Korean male," adding, "An in-depth epidemiological investigation is being conducted locally this morning."

According to the KCDC, the patient was working in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and experienced symptoms of a sore throat starting from the 10th. He visited a local medical institution around the 19th. Subsequently, on the afternoon of the 22nd, he departed Wuhan, transited through Shanghai, and entered Korea via Gimpo Airport. During quarantine, fever and sore throat were detected, leading to active monitoring. He was tested through a screening clinic at a public health center the previous day and was confirmed positive for the novel coronavirus.

Active monitoring refers to a procedure where individuals with some symptoms are contacted by phone for two weeks after entry to check for symptom development. The KCDC stated, "The patient was fully aware of the situation in Wuhan and truthfully completed the health status questionnaire during the entry quarantine process," and added, "He cooperated well with the public health center's instructions during active monitoring after returning."

Following the first confirmed case?a woman in her 30s from China who entered the country on the 19th and was diagnosed after epidemiological investigation and hospital testing?the second case emerged four days later. The first confirmed patient is receiving treatment in a nationally designated isolation ward and is reported to be in stable condition. Twenty-five individuals under investigation who had contact with the confirmed patients or showed symptoms tested negative.