Gangdong-gu Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon Holds Briefing at 11:30 AM on the 25th; Two Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Including Myeongseong Church Associate Pastor and Missionary's Child Who Visited Cheongdo Daenam Hospital Funeral Hall
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Among the 9 people, including the associate pastor of Myeongseong Church in Gangdong-gu, who visited the Nonghyup funeral hall inside Cheongdo Daenam Hospital, 2 were confirmed positive for COVID-19.
On the 25th, Lee Jeong-hoon, the mayor of Gangdong-gu, held a briefing regarding the visit of the associate pastor of Myeongseong Church and 5 other church members to the Nonghyup funeral hall inside Cheongdo Daenam Hospital, which has become a subject of controversy related to COVID-19. He announced, "Yesterday, a total of 9 people, including those who visited the funeral hall and the bereaved family, directly visited the Gangdong-gu Public Health Center and requested specimen collection. As a result, 2 out of the 9 tested positive, and the remaining 7 tested negative. This morning, it was confirmed that 2 additional cases (associate pastor A and A’s acquaintance, missionary’s child B) were identified."
Currently, all 9 individuals are under self-quarantine. Among them, the 2 confirmed cases will be isolated in nationally designated hospital beds, and the remaining 7 are under self-quarantine, he added.
He also stated that Gangdong-gu will maintain a close cooperative system with Myeongseong Church and actively collaborate. The church has promised to promptly confirm and disclose the list of close contacts beyond the total 9 church members.
The mayor said, "Through epidemiological investigations by the central government and Seoul city, we will identify the movement paths of confirmed cases and additional contacts, and disclose accurate information." He added, "The district and Myeongseong Church will establish a cooperative relationship and form an on-site task force to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community."
He further stated, "The district has already conducted disinfection in the surrounding areas including Myeongseong Church and plans to expand the disinfection scope for additional measures." He also mentioned, "Myeongseong Church plans to conduct its own disinfection of related facilities such as the education center and meeting hall."
In addition, to minimize community infection, a full investigation will be conducted on places where Myeongseong Church members mainly gather, with disinfection carried out and closures enforced if necessary.
Moreover, a cooperation letter to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has been sent to all religious facilities in the area. The mayor requested that when holding religious events such as worship services, Buddhist ceremonies, and masses where many residents gather, COVID-19 behavioral guidelines be strictly followed, and he confirmed that cooperation has been pledged.
He urged residents to trust the district office and immediately report to the district office if they have had close contact with the church members who visited Cheongdo Daenam Hospital or are aware of such contact. (Comprehensive Situation Room ☏3425-5000)
Residents are also asked to avoid going out as much as possible, refrain from outdoor activities, and actively cooperate with quarantine measures. Please strictly observe personal hygiene rules such as hand washing, wearing masks, and cough etiquette. If symptoms such as fever or cough occur, please contact the Gangdong-gu Public Health Center (☏ 3425-6713) or the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency at 1339.
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