Patient No. 31 Visited Cheongdo in Early February... Investigating Link to Daenam Hospital Confirmed Case (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Patient No. 31 (born 1959, Korean female), who is linked to the mass infection at the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu, was found to have also visited Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongbuk, earlier this month. On the 19th, two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were reported in Cheongdo. Health authorities are investigating the connection between Patient No. 31 and the confirmed cases in Cheongdo.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters on the afternoon of the 20th, "It has been confirmed that Patient No. 31 visited the Cheongdo area in early February," adding, "Through GPS tracking and patient interviews, we are identifying what activities the patient engaged in and which places were visited in Cheongdo."

The previous day, two hospitalized patients at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo were confirmed positive for COVID-19. Health authorities are conducting epidemiological investigations and disinfection measures, including comprehensive specimen testing of patients and staff at Daenam Hospital. Director Jung added, "Since there are more symptomatic individuals at Daenam Hospital, testing is ongoing," and "There is a possibility of additional confirmed cases, so quarantine measures are being implemented."