"90 Confirmed Cases Related to Guro Call Center"... 2 Shincheonji Followers Test Negative (Summary)

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon: "Largest Cluster Infection in Seoul Area"
About 550 Employees Working on Different Floors of Call Center Also Being Confirmed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at a call center in Sindorim-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, has increased overnight to reach 90. Emergency measures have also been triggered in the Gyeonggi and Incheon areas where the confirmed patients reside.

On the morning of the 11th, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon appeared on CBS Radio's Kim Hyun-jung's News Show and said, "The number of confirmed cases related to the Guro-gu call center identified by Seoul city has risen to 90," adding, "This is the largest cluster infection case that has occurred in Seoul."

By residence, there are 62 in Seoul, 13 in Gyeonggi, and 15 in Incheon. This number includes the call center employees and their families. Compared to the approximately 60 confirmed cases identified by the afternoon of the previous day, the number of confirmed cases has significantly increased overnight.

Health authorities have determined that most of the infected employees worked on the same floor, the 11th floor. However, so far, only symptomatic individuals among the 207 employees working on the 11th floor and their families have been investigated. For about 550 employees who are asymptomatic or work on different floors within the same company, the presence of infection is still being checked, so the number of related confirmed cases is likely to increase further.

Mayor Park said, "Since thorough epidemiological investigations are necessary to prevent further spread, Seoul city has deployed an immediate response team consisting of 30 members in 4 groups to conduct epidemiological investigations and manage contacts," adding, "Because the confirmed cases are spread across Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, rapid investigations will also be conducted for their families."

However, among the Guro call center employees, two members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus were identified, but their test results came back negative.

Mayor Park stated, "The nature of the call center counselor job itself involves a work environment vulnerable to cluster infections, where droplet infection and close contact can occur simultaneously," and added, "Starting next week, the Dasan Call Center under Seoul city will allow half of its staff to work from home, and this afternoon, related companies such as financial institution call center operators will hold an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures."