Sejong and Chungnam Suspected Wuhan Pneumonia Cases Test 'Negative'... Chungcheong Region Busy Blocking Infectious Diseases

[Asia Economy (Sejong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] All suspected cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) reported in Sejong and Chungnam areas have tested negative. In Daejeon, detailed examinations of suspected cases are currently underway.

According to Sejong City on the 29th, the previous day, two men in their 20s (1 person) and 30s (1 person) voluntarily reported themselves to the public health center as suspected cases of the novel coronavirus due to symptoms such as dry cough and sputum.

Accordingly, the city requested detailed tests from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and received final negative results. It is reported that they had each traveled to Wuhan, China in November last year for work and returned on the 17th and 24th of this month, respectively.

In Chungnam, a total of 14 people, including 4 who had been in the same space as the first confirmed domestic novel coronavirus patient, were epidemiologically related to the infection, but like Sejong, all tested negative.

However, in Daejeon, four suspected cases had been reported by the previous day, and detailed tests are ongoing, with results expected to be released on the 29th. These individuals voluntarily reported themselves after feeling unwell following visits to China and are currently designated as subjects of active monitoring.

Additionally, two citizens who had contact with confirmed novel coronavirus patients have been identified in Daejeon. The city is checking the condition of these contacts daily on a one-on-one basis with public health center staff, and so far, no abnormal symptoms have been reported.

As suspected novel coronavirus cases continue to be reported in the Chungcheong region, local governments are busy working to block the infectious disease.

Since the 13th, Daejeon has held emergency response meetings and formed a Wuhan pneumonia task force while maintaining a 24-hour emergency response system. In addition, epidemiological investigation teams have been organized centered on the five district public health centers, and national isolation inpatient treatment beds and a disease control monitoring network are being maintained and operated in preparation for symptomatic cases.

Sejong also formed an infection countermeasure team on the 23rd to monitor the spread of Wuhan pneumonia. First, Sejong City established the Wuhan pneumonia infection countermeasure team at the city hall and public health center, maintaining a 24-hour reporting system and preparing nationally designated inpatient treatment beds at Dankook University Hospital in Cheonan to prepare for any emergencies.

Furthermore, Chungnam has canceled all scheduled visits by Chinese group tourists planned until the end of next month. Previously, the province, together with tourism associations and travel agencies, had attracted about 3,000 Chinese tourists from Shandong Province, Shanghai, Jilin Province, and other areas. However, considering the ongoing suspected novel coronavirus reports, they decided to cancel the visits of Chinese group tourists and plan to respond to changes in the situation in cooperation with the central government and related ministries.