The 30th Domestic COVID-19 Case Confirmed in Korea... 29th Case's Wife (Update)

On the 16th, the Regional Medical Emergency Center at Korea University Hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where the 29th COVID-19 patient visited, is conducting disinfection after implementing access control measures. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The 30th confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea has been reported. The patient is a Korean woman in her 60s and a family member of the 29th patient.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced on the 17th at 9 a.m. that one additional confirmed case was identified, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 30. This reflects updates from 4 p.m. on the 16th through the night.

The 30th patient is a woman born in 1952 and the wife of the 80-year-old man (born in 1938, Korean nationality) who was confirmed as the 29th patient the previous day. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the 30th patient tested positive during self-quarantine and has been isolated at Seoul National University Hospital. The infection is presumed to be transmitted within the family, and epidemiological investigations are underway by health authorities.

Among the previously confirmed patients, nine have been released from isolation as of this morning due to improved conditions. As of this morning, the number of suspected cases?people who have traveled to countries with COVID-19 outbreaks including China and exhibit symptoms such as fever and cough?stands at 8,141, an increase of nine from 8,132 as of yesterday afternoon. Of these, 7,733 tested negative, and 408 are still undergoing testing.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters releases updates on domestic COVID-19 cases twice daily at 10 a.m. (based on 9 a.m. data) and 5 p.m. (based on 4 p.m. data).