Government to Conduct Full Investigation of Over 100 Wuhan Arrivals... President Moon's Directive

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 27th, President Moon Jae-in instructed a full investigation of entrants from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The government is launching a comprehensive survey of about 100 people among them who show 'mild' symptoms.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), stated at a telephone briefing on the novel coronavirus outbreak held that day, "We plan to conduct a full investigation today or tomorrow of those who have returned from Wuhan City and exhibited mild symptoms such as a runny nose or slight fever."

Earlier that day, President Moon reportedly instructed during a luncheon with senior secretaries at the Blue House, "To prevent worsening through secondary infection, preemptive measures must be taken."

The investigation targets about 100 actively monitored individuals who visited Wuhan City and showed mild symptoms like a runny nose or slight fever but did not have high fever or clear respiratory symptoms, thus were not included among the symptomatic subjects under investigation and were being monitored by public health centers.

Most of these individuals are Koreans, but some Chinese nationals are also included. The KCDC plans to conduct pan-coronavirus testing on them. After testing, to prevent community spread, self-quarantine measures will be implemented until results are confirmed.

Director Jung said, "We are reviewing whether the approximately 100 people meet the revised case definition and whether symptoms have appeared at this point, then will conduct tests and promote self-quarantine until results are available." The case definition is a guideline used at airports and medical institutions to distinguish 'confirmed patients,' 'suspected patients,' and 'symptomatic subjects under investigation' related to Wuhan pneumonia.

However, additional testing for those who visited Wuhan City but show no symptoms is still under consideration. Director Jung said, "The list of asymptomatic Wuhan visitors has been notified to medical institutions, and whether to investigate their current status is under internal review."

Meanwhile, as of 9 a.m. that day, there were four confirmed cases domestically. Among symptomatic subjects under investigation excluding confirmed cases, 57 people were identified; one is undergoing testing, and the remaining 56 tested negative and were released from quarantine. There are 2,794 cases abroad. Among them, 2,744 are Chinese patients, with 80 deaths.