[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol, Kim Heung-soon, Lee Jung-yoon] The 31st confirmed domestic case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Daegu (born 1959, Korean female) became a 'super-spreader' by developing symptoms and visiting multiple-use facilities such as medical institutions, hotels, and churches, infecting many people. On the 19th alone, up to 13 confirmed cases related to this patient occurred within the region. In particular, this patient is expected to face criticism for fueling the virus spread by reportedly refusing the medical staff's recommendation for COVID-19 diagnostic testing twice.
According to Daegu city and quarantine authorities as of 9 a.m. that day, out of 15 additional confirmed domestic COVID-19 cases, 13 were from the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. Among them, 11 were confirmed to be related to patient number 31, and 2 are under investigation for potential links. Patient 31, who was the first confirmed case in the Yeongnam area the previous day, was hospitalized at Saeronan Korean Medicine Hospital in Beomeo-dong, Daegu, on the 7th after a traffic accident and had been moving extensively around local churches and hotels until being quarantined the day before.
It was identified that on the 9th and 16th, this patient came into contact with hundreds of congregants at the Shincheonji Daegu Church worship hall. Approximately 460 people attended the worship service on the 16th, while the number of attendees on the 9th is still being determined. The number of people gathered at the worship hall on the 16th alone exceeds the number of contacts of previous COVID-19 patients. Until now, patient number 16 (born 1977, Korean female) had the highest number of contacts at 450. Patient 31 also had lunch with an acquaintance on the 15th at the buffet restaurant of Queen Bell Hotel in Dong-gu, Daegu. The quarantine authorities stated, "Among the additional confirmed cases related to patient 31, 10 are Shincheonji church members, 1 is a hospital contact, and 2 are under investigation for links." Hotels are also crowded spaces, making it highly likely for patients to emerge among close contacts.
The problem is that such large-scale contact could have been prevented in advance. Patient 31 reportedly showed fever symptoms on the 10th while hospitalized at the Korean medicine hospital. Although the flu test conducted by the attending medical staff showed no abnormalities, the fever persisted, and an additional test was conducted on the 14th, which confirmed pneumonia. The medical staff, considering the possibility of COVID-19 infection, recommended twice that patient 31 be transferred to another hospital for diagnostic testing. However, the patient refused the tests, stating, "I have no history of overseas travel and have not been in contact with confirmed cases." The patient only visited a screening clinic and underwent testing on the 17th, after the medical staff's third recommendation. Meanwhile, the patient had already visited churches and hotels, significantly increasing the number of contacts and causing a rapid surge in additional confirmed cases.
Hospitals in the area have been put on high alert. Daegu Kyungpook National University Hospital closed its emergency room the previous night as the number of positive test results rapidly increased. Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital in Daegu also blocked new patient inflow to the emergency room, which was confirmed to have been visited by a suspected COVID-19 patient the day before. Yeungnam University Yeongcheon Hospital closed its emergency room from 6:10 a.m. Yeungnam University Hospital temporarily closed its emergency center from 6 a.m. to proactively isolate suspected COVID-19 patients. Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin declared, "From today, city administration will operate under an emergency response system for COVID-19." He added, "As in Daegu's case, COVID-19 has already deeply spread in the local community," and appealed, "There are limits to overcoming this with only local government capabilities, so we request central government-level measures such as medical support, securing negative pressure rooms, and administrative and financial assistance."
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