First COVID-19 Case in Guro-gu, Seoul, Traveled to Israel with Travelers from Gyeongbuk (Summary)

A confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has been reported in Guro-gu, Seoul.

On the 22nd, the Guro-gu Health Center announced on its website that "the confirmed patient is Mr. Jo (41, male), who resides in an apartment in Gaebong-dong, Guro-gu, and he has been transferred to the National Medical Center."

Mr. Jo, a travel guide, reportedly visited Israel from the 8th to the 16th of this month with pilgrims from Uiseong, Andong, and Yeongju in Gyeongbuk Province.

Earlier, a woman in her 50s living in Uiseong was confirmed positive for COVID-19 the previous day, which led to Mr. Jo undergoing testing as well.

Guro-gu has disinfected the area around Mr. Jo’s residence and placed one cohabitant under self-quarantine. A specimen test for this cohabitant has also been requested.

Guro-gu stated, "We will promptly and accurately disclose the confirmed patient’s movement path as soon as the epidemiological investigation results from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are available."

Additionally, the crisis response level has been raised to 'serious,' and nearby daycare centers and kindergartens near the confirmed patient’s residence will be temporarily closed.