Recently, 10 confirmed cases identified as Daegu Shincheonji members
Did Shincheonji's unique worship style increase infections?
Daegu City conducts full survey of Shincheonji followers... Total effort to prevent COVID-19 spread
On the 19th, a public health official from Nam-gu Health Center in Daegu is conducting disinfection work near the Shincheonji Daegu Church in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu. It was confirmed on this day that many confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were reported among the believers attending this religious facility. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Among the members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Shincheonji), confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have emerged, raising concerns that Shincheonji's unique worship style may have contributed to the spread of the infection.
According to religious circles and others, some Shincheonji members do not sit on chairs during worship but instead sit closely together on the floor. The city of Daegu has begun a full investigation of Shincheonji members.
On the 20th, five more confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported in Gyeongbuk, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 56. According to health authorities on that day, five suspected COVID-19 patients were confirmed positive: one in Yeongcheon, one in Sangju, and three in Gyeongsan.
Among these, it was identified that 10 recently confirmed patients attend a Shincheonji church located in Daegu.
On the previous day (the 19th), the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters recognized the church infection cases as 'super-spreader' events due to the large number of patients emerging from a specific location. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether the infections at the church originated from patient number 31.
Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin stated at a briefing that "Currently, the Shincheonji Daegu Church is becoming the epicenter of the spread. It has been confirmed that seven out of the 10 newly confirmed patients in Daegu, including patient number 31, attended Shincheonji worship services. The routes of the remaining three are being investigated. I have also heard that the three confirmed patients in Gyeongsangbuk-do attended Shincheonji church worship."
Mayor Kwon explained, "I believe extraordinary measures are necessary here. We do not know the exact number of members. However, with the cooperation of the Shincheonji Daegu Church until early this morning, we have identified the list of attendees who participated in the first worship service from 8 to 9 a.m. on February 9 and 16, which patient number 31 attended, through closed-circuit television (CCTV). The number is just over 1,000."
He continued, "We have begun a full investigation of the members. Those who met patient number 31 or visited the church have become confirmed patients, and they sought medical attention at health centers or hospitals due to fever or symptoms. I expect there will be additional confirmed cases today. However, instead of waiting for them to come forward, we will conduct one-on-one full investigations. The intention behind establishing a special task force for high-risk groups is precisely this."
On the afternoon of the 19th, the Shincheonji Daegu Church in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that patient number 31, the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Daegu, recently visited this church to pray. [Image source=Yonhap News]
As concerns grow that the infection route for many confirmed cases in Daegu may have originated during Shincheonji worship services, some point out that Shincheonji's distinctive worship style may have contributed to the spread of the infection.
Due to the nature of churches, hundreds of members gather in one space and stay for extended periods. This increases the likelihood of spreading infectious diseases, not only COVID-19 but also common colds and other infections.
In particular, some Shincheonji worship services are known for their unique practice where members do not sit on chairs but sit closely together on the floor. Because they sit tightly packed on the floor, it is pointed out that the close proximity among worshippers may have led to a higher infection rate.
Additionally, due to the nature of religious facilities, during the process of leaving the sanctuary after worship, there may be acts such as holding hands while praying, which could have facilitated transmission through contact.
In summary, multi-use facilities like churches can become spaces where highly contagious viruses like COVID-19 spread. This is why there are concerns that the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu may be a COVID-19 super-spreader site.
Meanwhile, Shincheonji announced on its website regarding the confirmed COVID-19 cases among its members, stating, "To protect the health and safety of our members and local residents, all churches nationwide will temporarily suspend all worship services and gatherings and replace them with online or home worship."
They added, "If you visited the Shincheonji Daegu Church on February 9 or 16, please self-quarantine and refrain from activities as much as possible."
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