Cohabitant Test Result 'Negative'
On the 26th, citizens are waiting for COVID-19 testing at the screening clinic of Sanggye Paik Hospital in Nowon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] The first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has been reported in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province.
Hwaseong City announced on the 26th that a 31-year-old office worker, Mr. A, residing in Banjeong-dong, tested positive for COVID-19.
Mr. A works at a company located in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon City, and is known to have traveled on a business trip by car to Gumi, Gyeongbuk Province from the 17th to the 21st.
Following the company's recommendation, he reported to the Hwaseong City Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 24th, underwent testing at the Dongtan Seongsim Hospital screening clinic, and has been self-isolating since. Mr. A reportedly developed fever and chills on the 25th.
The hospital notified the city on the 26th after Mr. A's test results came back positive.
The city sent the specimen to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency for a third test and received the final confirmation of infection around 10 p.m. that day.
The city transferred Mr. A to Suwon Hospital of Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center and completed disinfection of his residence.
Mr. B, who lives with Mr. A, tested negative.
The city is investigating Mr. A's infection route, movements, and the scale of contacts but has decided to postpone announcements until the results of an in-depth epidemiological investigation are available.
Since Mr. A's fever and chills appeared after self-isolation began on the 25th, it is estimated that the number of contacts is not large.
Meanwhile, Hwaseong City stated that it will provide prompt and accurate information through its official social network service (SNS) channels related to COVID-19.
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