COVID-19 Suspect Claiming to Be a 'Shincheonji Believer' Flees Hospital, Tests 'Negative'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seung-jin] A suspected case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), who claimed to be a 'Shincheonji believer' and fled from the hospital, tested negative.

According to health authorities and the police on the 23rd, A (24), who entered the negative pressure isolation ward at Chosun University Hospital on the afternoon of the 22nd, tested negative for COVID-19 and returned to his home in Gyeonggi-do that morning.

At around 4 p.m. on the 22nd, A collapsed at a large bookstore inside the Gwangju Seo-gu General Bus Terminal. A claimed to be a 'Shincheonji believer,' had 'visited Daegu,' and had 'contact with Chinese nationals,' prompting medical staff to respond urgently.

A arrived at Chosun University Hospital by 119 ambulance at around 4:50 p.m. but fled the hospital at around 7:30 p.m.

A evaded the medical staff who were guiding the COVID-19 testing procedures and ran from the screening clinic toward the hospital's back gate. After turning off his mobile phone and disappearing, A suddenly returned about an hour later.

Meanwhile, the police equipped with masks and gloves began tracking A. Paramedics who had contact with A entered self-quarantine, and the fire department disinfected the transport equipment. The large bookstore A had visited closed urgently and disinfected the entire interior.

The police have begun a legal review to determine whether A, who pretended to be a suspected COVID-19 patient, can be punished for obstructing bookstore business and wasting administrative resources.

News that a suspected COVID-19 patient collapsed in a multi-use facility and claimed to be a Shincheonji believer quickly spread on social networking services (SNS) through photos and videos from the scene. In relation to this, a representative of the Shincheonji church in the Gwangju area explained, "A has no connection with us."