"Number 31, No Visit to Daenam Hospital and Funeral Hall... 4 Confirmed Cases Visited Jongno Welfare Center"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Patient No. 31 (born 1959, Korean female), who is linked to the group infection at Daegu Shincheonji Church of Jesus, also visited Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongbuk earlier this month, but it has been confirmed that she did not visit Daenam Hospital or the funeral hall. Additionally, a total of four confirmed patients have been identified to have visited Jongno Senior Welfare Center and used the restaurant there during the same time period between January 28 and 31.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing on February 21 regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), "It has been confirmed that patient No. 31 did not visit Daenam Hospital or the funeral hall," and added, "Various possibilities regarding the infection route are being kept open, and investigations are currently underway."

Among the 74 newly confirmed patients since 9 a.m. the previous day, 62 were identified in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, and 12 in other areas. Of the additional confirmed cases, regardless of region, 44 are related to the Shincheonji Daegu Church case, 14 (including one death) are related to Cheongdo Daenam Hospital, one is related to Saeronan Korean Medicine Hospital, and 15 are under further investigation.

Director Jung explained, "We have currently received the full list of Shincheonji Daegu Church members. The first list of 1,001 people was acted upon yesterday and the day before, and we are continuing phone calls and investigations today for the second list of about 3,500 people. Including the remaining third list, we have received nearly 9,300 names and are taking comprehensive measures." According to Daegu City, among 4,775 people, 544 reported having symptoms.

In addition, the death case at Cheongdo Daenam Hospital involved a patient who had been hospitalized for a long time and had chronic pulmonary disease in the past, with pneumonia worsening recently leading to death. Director Jung said, "So far, pneumonia caused by COVID-19 infection is presumed to be related to the death, but the patient's other conditions also need to be considered." Authorities are also reviewing the necessity of an autopsy. Including one deceased, a total of 16 confirmed patients have been identified in the Cheongdo Daenam Hospital case.

On the same day, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also announced the epidemiological investigation progress regarding cases centered in Jongno-gu, Seoul. It was confirmed that four patients?No. 29 (born 1938, male), No. 56 (born 1945, male), No. 83 (born 1944, male), and No. 136 (born 1936, male)?had visited Jongno Senior Welfare Center between January 28 and 31.

In particular, patient No. 83 was confirmed to have visited the church located in Jongno-gu (Myeongnyun Church), which patient No. 6 (born 1964, male) had visited on January 26, during the same time period, suggesting a possible infection from patient No. 6. However, patient No. 83 was not classified as a contact during the epidemiological investigation of patient No. 6.

Director Jung stated, "Patient No. 83 was identified through checking the entire member lists of the senior welfare center and Myeongnyun Church and the investigation proceeded accordingly. The patient did not report symptoms," adding, "Considering the incubation period, it is tentatively assumed that exposure occurred after January 28, and this is currently judged as a cluster outbreak, but this will be reviewed further with experts."

Considering the symptom onset dates of each patient, it is estimated that patient No. 29 (symptom onset February 5), patient No. 56 (around February 5), and patient No. 136 (around February 1) were infected by patient No. 83 at Jongno Senior Welfare Center.

Furthermore, patient No. 30 (born 1952, female) is the spouse of patient No. 29 and is believed to have been infected by patient No. 29, while patient No. 112 (born 1941, female) is the spouse of patient No. 136 and is believed to have been infected by patient No. 136, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Additionally, the spouse of patient No. 40 (born 1943, male) was newly confirmed infected (patient No. 121) as of the previous day and is currently isolated and hospitalized at Seoul Medical Center. Director Jung emphasized, "Currently, community transmission is confirmed mainly in some areas," and added, "It is crucial to quickly identify patients in these areas, promptly isolate confirmed patients, and actively provide treatment."

As of 9 a.m. on the day, 74 additional cases were confirmed compared to 9 a.m. the previous day (52 additional cases compared to 4 p.m. the previous day), bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 156. Among them, 139 are currently isolated and hospitalized.