[Report] Jongno Opens Up... Local Community's 'COVID-19' Infection Fear Rekindled

[Asia Economy Reporters Jeong Dong-hoon, Kim Bong-gi] "Oh dear, how unfortunate. The person who volunteered with me to share side dishes for elderly living alone is the 30th patient."

On the morning of the 17th, which recorded the heaviest snowfall this winter, the area around Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul was overwhelmed more by the fear of the virus than the biting snowstorm. Confirmed cases 29 and 30 (the wife of patient 29) of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) appeared one after another, and as this couple is presumed to be the first case of community infection with an unknown infection route and source, residents' concerns about infection increased. Heo Mal-soon (79), a resident of Sungin 1-dong who volunteered in sharing side dishes with the couple, said, "They were people who helped many around the neighborhood, so it is unfortunate that they caught the infectious disease, and I also feel anxious."

Sungin 1-dong, where the couple lives, has a high proportion of elderly population and features a secondhand market and Dongmyo, places frequently visited by seniors. With many elderly residents, two public senior centers, including the Sungin 1-dong Community Center senior center, which the 29th patient was known to visit often, have been temporarily closed. A Sungin 1-dong Community Center official said, "Following the guidelines of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, we are closing the senior centers visited by the confirmed patients," adding, "We are monitoring the surrounding residents who express anxiety." Kim In-ho (84), whom we met in front of the senior center, said, "It is unfortunate that a neighborhood resident has contracted such a terrible disease," and added, "I am wearing a mask my daughter sent me, saying it is dangerous, whenever I go out."

In the case of Sungin-dong, which is close to downtown areas like Jongno, hotels and hostels have recently been established, and Chinese tourists are said to frequent the area, according to local residents. A pharmacy staff member in Sungin-dong said, "Elderly customers who usually did not buy masks are now coming in looking for hand sanitizers and masks," adding, "It seems the anxiety is high because many elderly people use places like senior centers."

The Korea University Anam Hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where patient 29 passed through, has reignited concerns about virus spread after a lull. The emergency center, which was fully closed the previous day, is currently undergoing disinfection. A hospital official said, "Medical staff who were on duty when patient 29 visited are under self-quarantine, and all patients who had contact have been moved to single rooms for isolation," adding, "The emergency center is expected to resume operations by tomorrow (the 18th)."

Outpatients visiting the hospital and nearby merchants were also anxious. Patient A (female, 74) said, "I came to the hospital to receive treatment and get medication for cardiovascular issues," adding, "Although I am anxious because of the confirmed case, I had no choice but to come. I just hope nothing bad happens." The convenience store owner located at the intersection in front of the hospital said, "Since many hospital users visit here, it may not affect us immediately, but in the future, we might experience a decrease in foot traffic."

However, as it is the first day after the confirmed cases, there have been no mass cancellations of medical appointments so far. A hospital official said, "The emergency center and outpatient treatment areas have separate routes, so there is not much concern, but we are carefully monitoring how the situation develops."