[Report] "Is This Really a University Area?" Aftermath of New Coronavirus... Silence on 'Sungshin Women's University Street'

Movement of 'Patient No. 5'... Visited at least 11 places including a mart in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
Donam-dong Seongsin Women's University area quiet... Few people on the streets
Delivery workers waiting in front of fast food outlets... Increase in dining out
Korea Centers for Disease Control confirms 15 cases of novel coronavirus infection

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the streets around Donam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Although it is called a college town street due to the nearby Sungshin Women's University, the streets are showing a quiet appearance after news spread that the "5th confirmed patient" had been around this area. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "You never know. Unless I have something to do, I don't usually go outside."

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the area around Sungshin Women's University (Bomun-ro) in Donam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, known as the movement path of the '5th confirmed patient' (33-year-old male), was quiet despite it being the weekend.

There were no customers to be seen at the cellphone accessory shops or cosmetic stores. Considering it is a university commercial district, it was especially quiet. Even on the street lined with restaurants, people were hard to find.

According to the movement path of the '5th patient' disclosed by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on the Donam-dong area, he visited ① Daiso Sungshin Women's University Station Branch ② Seonho Care ③ lodging ④ Emart24 ⑤ GS25 ⑥ Food Material Distribution Center ⑦ Ddukkeobi Mart on the 26th of last month. On the 27th, he went to ⑧ Donam-dong Tteokbokki ⑨ Ddukkeobi Mart ⑩ Lucky Mart, and on the 28th, ⑪ Yeppeul Beauty Line, among others.

In summary, the novel coronavirus confirmed patient visited at least 11 places centered around Seongbuk-gu. Then, on the 30th of last month, he was diagnosed positive at home and transferred to Seoul Medical Center.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the streets around Donam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Although it is called a college town street due to the nearby Sungshin Women's University, the streets are showing a quiet appearance as news spread that the '5th confirmed patient' had been around this area. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Given the situation, nearby residents of Seongbuk-gu and visitors to the area are expressing concerns that they may have come into contact or close contact with this patient.

A university student in her 20s met on the street that day said, "I saw the news that a confirmed patient came from this neighborhood," adding, "I haven't heard of anyone being infected by that person, but it's better to be cautious."

Another university student in her mid-20s nearby also expressed, "I think we need to be careful not only in Seongbuk-gu but also in the areas where confirmed patients have been."

Even when stepping away from the restaurant street and entering the cellphone accessory and cosmetic store streets, the situation was similar.

Except for small groups of people walking together, it was practically silent. Especially at a cosmetic store frequently visited by women in their early 20s, there were no customers at all.

At clothing stores, there were no customers browsing clothes or bargaining prices. A self-employed man in his 50s lamented, "People are a bit scarce, but it hasn't been this bad before."

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the streets around Donam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. After news spread that the "Patient No. 5" had been in this area, the streets appeared quiet. Motorcycles of delivery workers were parked in front of a fast-food restaurant. According to a survey of the delivery service industry, order volumes increased before and after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia). Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

On that day, delivery workers delivering food were easily seen around Seongbuk-gu. There is an analysis that online shopping and food delivery have surged as consumers avoid going out due to the spread of the novel coronavirus.

According to Baedal Minjok, orders increased by 10% from the 31st of last month to the 1st of this month compared to usual during the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Coupang announced on the 2nd that its fresh food dawn delivery service 'Rocket Fresh' may be delayed by up to two hours. According to Coupang, on the 28th of last month, the daily shipment volume reached a record high of 3.3 million orders. The average daily shipment volume in January last year was about 1.7 million orders.

Market Kurly recorded a 19% average daily sales growth rate from January 27 to February 2, right after the Lunar New Year holiday. Orders surged by 67% compared to the previous year.

A delivery worker A, met on the street that day, explained, "I think many customers are choosing delivery because of the epidemic," adding, "I also feel that the number of orders has increased."

A fast-food restaurant that should be bustling with young people in the university area was crowded with delivery workers. They repeatedly lined up at one side of the counter to receive delivery order slips and then left.

Meanwhile, the Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on the 2nd that the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection increased by three from the 1st, reaching 15.

The 13th patient (28-year-old male, Korean) is one of 368 Korean residents who returned on the first temporary flight on January 31. He was diagnosed positive during the full diagnostic testing of the first group of returnees and was quarantined at the National Medical Center.

The 14th patient (40-year-old female, Chinese) is a family member of the 12th patient and was under self-quarantine; an epidemiological investigation is currently underway.

The 15th patient (43-year-old male, Korean) entered from Wuhan City on January 20 and was under active monitoring. He was confirmed positive after showing mild cold symptoms starting February 1 and undergoing testing.