"Wuhan→Myeongnyun Church→Senior Welfare Center" Infection Route of COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in Jongno

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Among the confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it was confirmed that 4 patients visited the Jongno Senior Welfare Center at the end of January and used the restaurant at the same time. It is understood that the virus, which started from a patient infected at Myeongnyun Church, spread through the nearby senior welfare center restaurant. The infection mystery of the 29th patient, who had no history of overseas travel or contact with infected persons and was previously unknown, has also been solved.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing on COVID-19 on the 21st, "It was confirmed that 4 patients visited the Jongno Senior Welfare Center between January 28 and 31," and added, "Since they ate together for almost 3 days, it is judged that they had close contact (among confirmed patients)." These four are the 29th (born 1938, male), 56th (born 1945, male), 83rd (born 1944, male), and 136th (born 1936, male) patients.

Among them, the 83rd patient was confirmed to have visited the church located in Jongno-gu (Myeongnyun Church) at the same time as the 6th patient (born 1964, male) who visited on January 26, suggesting the possibility of infection from the 6th patient. However, the 83rd patient was not classified as a contact during the epidemiological investigation of the 6th patient.

Head Jung said, "The 83rd patient was discovered during an investigation by checking the entire list of members of the senior welfare center and Myeongnyun Church. He did not report any symptoms," and added, "Considering the incubation period, it is tentatively assumed that there was some exposure after January 28, and it is currently judged as a cluster outbreak, but this will be reviewed further with experts."

The 29th patient, who was the first confirmed case with an unknown source of infection, was also found to have had contact with infected persons during this process. Considering the onset dates of symptoms for each patient, it is estimated that the 29th patient (symptom onset February 5), the 56th patient (around February 5), and the 136th patient (around February 1) were infected by the 83rd patient at the Jongno Senior Welfare Center.

Additionally, the 30th patient (born 1952, female) is the spouse of the 29th patient and is believed to have been infected by the 29th patient, and the 112th patient (born 1941, female) is the spouse of the 136th patient and is believed to have been infected by the 136th patient, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, the spouse of the 40th patient (born 1943, male) was newly confirmed infected (121st patient) as of the previous day and is currently isolated and hospitalized at Seoul Medical Center.

Regarding claims that the 56th patient showed symptoms at the screening clinic but was not isolated or responded to in time, Head Jung responded, "While defining cases multiple times, it seems that the 56th patient was not classified as a test subject because there was no overseas travel history. Please understand that there were limitations (in testing capacity, etc.)." He added, "Currently, testing institutions and capacity have increased."

As of 9 a.m. today, 74 additional cases (52 more compared to 4 p.m. the previous day) have been confirmed, bringing the total to 156 confirmed cases. Among them, 139 are currently isolated and hospitalized. Of the 74 newly confirmed patients since 9 a.m. the previous day, 62 were confirmed in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, and 12 in other regions. Among the additional confirmed cases, regardless of region, 44 are related to the Shincheonji Daegu Church case, 14 (including 1 death) are related to Cheongdo Daenam Hospital, 1 is related to Saeron Hanbang Hospital, and 15 are under investigation.

The death case at Cheongdo Daenam Hospital was a patient who had been hospitalized for a long time and had chronic lung disease from the past, and recently died due to worsening pneumonia. Head Jung said, "So far, it is presumed that pneumonia caused by COVID-19 infection is related to the death, but the patient's other conditions also need to be considered." Authorities are also considering the necessity of an autopsy. Including the deceased, a total of 16 confirmed cases have been identified at Cheongdo Daenam Hospital.