13 Additional Confirmed Cases in Daegu and Gyeongbuk... Regional Infection Emergency (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol, Na Ju-seok] A large number of 15 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were reported in South Korea on the 19th alone. The feared 'community transmission' has become a reality, with 13 infections occurring in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the day, 13 new confirmed cases were identified in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions alone. Among them, 11 were confirmed to be related to the 31st patient diagnosed the previous day. Ten were from the same church as the patient, and one had contact at a hospital. The remaining two cases cannot rule out a connection to the 31st patient. Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin said in an emergency briefing, "We are switching to an emergency response system."

The daughter of a contact of the 20th patient, who was a third-generation infected person, also tested positive and is confirmed to be isolated and receiving treatment at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital. This patient is 11 years old, making her the youngest among the confirmed cases in South Korea so far. The 20th patient is a family member of the 15th patient who returned from Wuhan, China. One additional patient was confirmed in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The patient is a 77-year-old Korean man who visited Hanyang University Hospital the previous day with symptoms such as high fever and was diagnosed after showing signs of pneumonia. He is currently isolated and receiving treatment at the National Medical Center. Including the existing 31 patients (16 discharged), the total number of confirmed cases has risen to 46.

As concerns about community transmission materialize, the government is focusing on preparing countermeasures. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held that morning, "We have expanded the targets and institutions for COVID-19 testing in preparation for community spread and granted medical staff the authority to diagnose suspected patients," adding, "We will further tighten the community quarantine network and thoroughly check our preparedness for quarantine."

Meanwhile, the death toll from COVID-19 in China has surpassed 2,000. According to the National Health Commission of China, 136 deaths occurred nationwide the previous day, bringing the total number of deaths to 2,004. The number of new confirmed cases increased by 1,749 in one day, raising the cumulative confirmed cases to 74,185. Most deaths occurred in Hubei Province, where COVID-19 first emerged.

Hubei Province reported 132 deaths and 1,693 new confirmed cases the previous day. In Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, 116 people died. Currently, there are 57,805 confirmed patients receiving treatment, including 11,977 severe cases. A total of 14,376 patients have recovered and been discharged.