[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] The first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Gumi, Gyeongbuk, has expressed mental distress due to some malicious comments.
The patient is a woman, Ms. A, who works at the Samsung Electronics Wireless Division plant located in Gumi, and was diagnosed with COVID-19 and quarantined on the 22nd.
On the same day, Ms. A posted on her social network service (SNS), pleading, "Please do not spread my personal information," and appealed, "The malicious comments are very painful. I did not catch it intentionally."
She continued, "I am only sorry for causing inconvenience," adding, "It is absurd that I, who usually diligently sanitize and wash my hands, got infected, and it feels like the sky is falling. I am afraid it will cause trouble to those around me."
She also said, "I hope that no more people get sick after me," and "Please do not spread my personal information."
Gumi City stated on the same day, "The confirmed patient is Ms. A, a resident of Sandong-myeon and an employee of Samsung Electronics Wireless Division in Gumi National Industrial Complex."
According to health authorities, Ms. A visited her boyfriend's house, who is a member of Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Shincheonji), at around 11:30 p.m. on the 18th, and it is presumed that she was infected during this visit.
Ms. A's boyfriend attended worship services at the Shincheonji Daegu branch on the 9th and 16th.
Samsung Electronics' COVID-19 Emergency Response Task Force (TF) announced, "The Gumi plant will be closed until the 24th, and disinfection is being carried out throughout the entire facility."
Regarding operational issues caused by the production line closure, they explained, "Since it is a temporary closure including the weekend, the impact is not significant, and additional operations will be conducted to prevent supply disruptions to major customers."
Meanwhile, Gumi City plans to conduct emergency disinfection around Ms. A's residence and focus on identifying her movement paths and contacts within the region.
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