172 Contacts... One Family Member Tests Negative
Massive Contact at Aircraft, Airport Bus, and Medical Institutions
On the 28th, as fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia' spreads, a screening clinic is operating at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang, Seongnam aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] It has been confirmed that the total number of contacts of the fourth confirmed case of Wuhan pneumonia (novel coronavirus) in Korea reached 172. This includes people who were on the same airplane or airport bus as the confirmed patient or who received treatment at the same medical institution.
Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated on the 28th, "So far, 172 contacts have been identified," and added, "One family member of the patient was identified as symptomatic, was isolated and tested, but the result was negative."
The fourth patient is a 55-year-old Korean male residing in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. He visited Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China for tourism on the 5th and returned to Incheon Airport on the 20th via a direct flight from Wuhan (KE882). Afterwards, he took airport bus number 8834 to Pyeongtaek Songtan Terminal and then took a taxi home.
On the following day, the 21st, the patient visited the medical institution '365 Yeonhap Clinic' located in Pyeongtaek. At that time, the medical institution's electronic system (DUR) confirmed the Wuhan travel history, and the patient was asked to verify this, but the medical institution reported that they did not receive a clear answer. The patient then returned home by private car and stayed at home only from the 22nd to the 24th.
On the 25th, the patient revisited 365 Yeonhap Clinic due to fever and muscle pain, disclosed his Wuhan travel history, and became subject to active monitoring. On the 26th, due to worsening muscle pain, he was diagnosed with pneumonia at the public health center's screening clinic and was transported by the health center's ambulance to Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, a government-designated inpatient treatment facility. After being classified as a symptomatic subject under investigation, he was confirmed positive on the 27th.
Director Jung said, "There were many exposures on transportation means, including 27 on the airport bus and 34 on the airplane," and added, "Most exposures occurred among people who received treatment together with the patient and medical staff during the two visits to the medical institution, as well as on the airplane, airport bus, and medical institution." She further stated, "Environmental disinfection has been completed for the airplane, airport bus, and medical institution visited by the fourth patient upon entry."
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