"China's New Coronavirus Deaths Linked to Obesity as Well as Age and Underlying Conditions"

On the 28th, at the arrival hall of Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport, people arriving from Shanghai, China, are being guided to submit health status questionnaires at the quarantine station. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated the entire region of China as a quarantine target contaminated area in relation to the novel coronavirus and made quarantine and submission of health status questionnaires mandatory for all arrivals.
Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) in China, where the virus first emerged, surpassed 4,500 on the 28th. This marks an increase of about 1,800 cases in just one day. The death toll also rose by more than 20, bringing the total number of fatalities to 106. Although no additional confirmed cases were reported domestically, the scope of investigation was expanded from this day, increasing the number of subjects to 112 (cumulative). Among them, 97 tested negative and were released from quarantine, while test results for the remaining 15 are expected soon.

Government to Repatriate Local Koreans via Charter Flights on 30th and 31st
Complete Survey of 3,023 Wuhan Arrivals in Past Two Weeks

The government has decided to deploy four charter flights to bring back Korean residents in Wuhan, China. The flights will operate over two days, on the 30th and 31st. Plans are being considered to quarantine the returnees separately at designated locations after their arrival in Korea. According to applications received through the consulate’s website and other channels, about 700 people have been registered. Only those without symptoms were eligible to apply. The health authorities stated that all returnees will undergo the same quarantine procedures upon entry into Korea, and their symptoms such as fever will be monitored while staying in quarantine facilities.

This measure aims to prevent an increase in domestic infection risk even if a large number of people enter Korea from Wuhan. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at the inter-ministerial meeting on the response to the current situation, "We will thoroughly establish quarantine measures to ensure that infection does not enter or spread while these individuals are being transported locally and staying in Korea."

From this day, the government strengthened quarantine procedures for all incoming flights and ships from all regions in China, focusing on preventing domestic inflow and closely monitoring community spread. This is because the third and fourth confirmed patients were found to have used public transportation and visited medical institutions while symptomatic, resulting in a significant number of contacts. The government also finalized plans to conduct a complete survey of those who entered Korea from Wuhan within the past two weeks.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), explained, "We will conduct a comprehensive investigation and monitoring of 3,023 individuals who entered through Wuhan Airport, identified through immigration records, in cooperation with local governments and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. Korean nationals showing fever or respiratory symptoms will be transferred to government-designated inpatient treatment beds for isolation and testing. For foreigners, their departure status will be checked, and if they remain in Korea, investigations will be conducted in cooperation with the National Police Agency."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is delivering an opening remark at the meeting of ministers in charge of responding to the novel coronavirus infection held at the Government Seoul Office on the 28th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Fourth Confirmed Patient Contacted 172 People Over a Week... Onboard Plane, Bus, etc.
"Not Initially a Subject of Investigation... Difficult to Assign Negligence"

Earlier, it was confirmed that the fourth domestic confirmed patient, a Korean man in his 50s residing in Pyeongtaek, had contact with 172 people during his return from Wuhan to Korea, according to the KCDC investigation. Among them, 95 were close contacts. Jung Eun-kyung stated, "One family member of the patient was identified as symptomatic, was quarantined and tested, but the result was negative. Most contacts were people seated near him on the plane, on the airport bus, and medical staff and patients at the two medical institutions he visited."

According to the KCDC, the patient returned on the direct flight KE882 from Wuhan on the 20th. Around 5:30 p.m. the same day, he took airport bus number 8834 to Pyeongtaek Songtan Terminal and then took a taxi home. On the following day, the 21st, he visited the 365 Union Clinic in Pyeongtaek for treatment and returned home by car. The medical institution confirmed his Wuhan travel history through the DUR (Drug Utilization Review) system. However, when asked about his Wuhan visit, the patient gave an unclear answer, saying only that he had "been to China," according to the investigation.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is announcing the current status of the novel coronavirus infection and the interim investigation results of the fourth confirmed domestic patient on the afternoon of the 28th at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Government Complex Sejong, Sejong City.

From the 22nd, he stayed only at home for four days. This was confirmed by epidemiological investigators through his own statements, credit card usage records, and mobile phone location tracking. On the 25th, he visited the same clinic again with fever and muscle pain, disclosed his Wuhan travel history, and became a subject of active monitoring. On the 26th, his muscle pain worsened, and he was diagnosed with pneumonia at a health center’s screening clinic. He was then transported by the health center’s ambulance to Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, which has government-designated inpatient treatment beds.

Based on the overall investigation, health authorities believe there was no clear negligence on the part of the patient or the medical institutions. At the first visit, he did not meet the criteria to be considered a symptomatic or actively monitored subject, and after the second visit, he was reported as an active monitoring subject and underwent screening.

Differences in Views with Chinese Health Authorities on Infectiousness During Incubation
Korea: "Low Possibility"... Deaths in China Linked to Elderly, Underlying Conditions, Obesity

Regarding whether infection is possible during the asymptomatic incubation period, Korean health authorities remain skeptical. This differs somewhat from the Chinese health authorities’ stance. A representative from China’s National Health Commission previously stated that the incubation period for this virus is up to 14 days and that transmission during this period appears possible.

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@

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also not reached a conclusion on this matter as of this day. Director Jung Eun-kyung said, "During the MERS outbreak, there were asymptomatic infections, but no cases of transmission to others. The claim that transmission occurs during the incubation period requires more scientific and objective evidence."

Regarding the rapidly increasing number of deaths in China due to the novel coronavirus infection, although detailed information is still lacking as it is an early stage, experts believe the progression is somewhat faster than SARS. The causes of death among fatalities in China show a higher proportion among elderly people, especially those aged 80 and above, and those with underlying conditions. Director Jung explained, "(During explanations by the Chinese side) there was some mention of obesity. We think the risk factors are likely similar to those of SARS or MERS."