Daegu in Shock... 31 New Confirmed Cases in One Day (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy (Daegu) = Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The local community in Daegu was shocked as 31 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the city in just one day on the 20th.

According to Daegu City, 31 additional COVID-19 cases were reported in Daegu on that day alone. The total number of confirmed cases in the Daegu area rose to 47, accounting for 45.2% of the 104 confirmed cases nationwide as of 5 p.m. that day.

Since the first confirmed case in Daegu, the 31st patient (born in 1959, Korean female), was identified on the 18th, the number of confirmed cases in Daegu rapidly increased to 15 on the 19th and 31 on the 20th. This surge is attributed to the "super spreader," the 31st patient, who visited multiple public facilities such as churches and hotels. Starting from her hospitalization at Saeronan Korean Medicine Hospital in Beomeo-dong, Daegu, on the 7th due to a traffic accident, the 31st patient moved extensively around local churches and hotels until she was quarantined the day before. It has been found that 46 confirmed cases are linked to the 31st patient.

In particular, the 31st confirmed patient came into contact with hundreds of church members at the Shincheonji Daegu Church worship hall on the 9th and 16th, suggesting that more confirmed cases will continue to emerge in Daegu. Immediately, Daegu City conducted a full survey of 1,001 church members who attended the Shincheonji gatherings, with 90 people (9%) reporting suspicious symptoms. Additionally, 396 people (39.6%) could not be contacted, and Daegu City is continuing the investigation.

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin stated, "The community transmission of (COVID-19) is progressing quite extensively," and added, "It is expected that the number of confirmed cases will significantly increase moving forward."

Daegu City has recommended self-quarantine for those who reported symptoms among the surveyed church members and plans to conduct specimen testing. Furthermore, a dedicated management system will be established on a one-on-one basis for these individuals, and a dedicated call center will be operated targeting Shincheonji church members.