First COVID-19 Death in Korea... 70 Confirmed Cases in Daegu and Gyeongbuk Regions (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju-cheol In] The first death occurred 32 days after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea.

According to Gyeongbuk Province on the 20th, a death confirmed to have COVID-19 was reported at Cheongdo Daenam Hospital, and infections are rapidly increasing. About 250 staff and patients are currently quarantined in the hospital. The same building houses a public health center and elderly care facilities, raising concerns about rapid spread.

As of 6 p.m. on the same day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas rose to 70. Among them, 43 cases are related to the Shincheonji Daegu Church, where many patients have been reported.

The deceased is a male born in 1957. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention response team conducted a full investigation of the psychiatric ward at Cheongdo Daenam Hospital, and diagnostic tests including the deceased confirmed positive results.

Health authorities have also imposed a complete ban on funerals for three other deceased individuals scheduled to be laid out at the Cheongdo Daenam Hospital funeral hall. Additionally, fever screenings are being conducted on about 600 people, including 298 staff members from Cheongdo Daenam Hospital, Cheongdo County Public Health Center, and Edenwon elderly nursing hospital, as well as 302 inpatients.

A Cheongdo County official stated, “We are conducting epidemiological investigations on not only the deceased patient but also all patients and staff at Daenam Hospital, and disinfecting the hospital facilities.”