Capital Region COVID-19 Cases Surpass Daegu and Gyeongbuk

Sporadic Group Infections in Churches, Increase in Cases Entering from Overseas

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol, Jeong Dong-hoon] On the 17th, the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Seoul metropolitan area was reported to be higher than that in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. This is the first time in about a month since a large number of Shincheonji Church of Jesus confirmed cases began to emerge on the 19th of last month.

As the diagnostic testing focused mainly on Shincheonji followers and their contacts for about a month is entering its final stage, the scale of new patient occurrences has decreased. However, sporadic group infections and cases resulting from contact with those groups are steadily increasing in the metropolitan area. With a rapid surge of new cases mainly in Europe, the number of cases infected overseas and entering the country has also increased, expanding the scope of surveillance by quarantine authorities.

Steady Increase in Infections in Seoul and the Metropolitan Area

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, as of midnight on this day, 31 new confirmed cases were identified in Gyeonggi Province. In Seoul and Incheon, there were 12 and 1 new cases respectively, making a total of 44 new cases in the metropolitan area, which is more than the 37 new cases reported in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. The number significantly increased as many confirmed cases related to the second largest cluster in the metropolitan area, the Seongnam Eunhyeui Gang Church, were included in the statistics on this day. In Seoul, patients infected from confirmed cases related to the Guro-gu call center and Dongdaemun-gu Dongan Church continue to be reported. On the other hand, in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, which accounted for most of the confirmed cases nationwide following the Shincheonji worship and the 'super-spreader event' at Cheongdo Daenam Hospital estimated to have occurred around mid-last month, the number of new cases has been declining. This is largely attributed to the completion of testing among Shincheonji followers.

Among the confirmed cases related to the cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at Eunhyeui River Church in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, one 119 paramedic from Gangdong Fire Station was confirmed to be included. On the morning of the 17th, paramedics from Gangdong Fire Station are heading to their vehicle.

In the metropolitan area, the population density is high and community activities such as gatherings and meetings are relatively frequent, increasing the possibility of exposure to group infections. This is a concern for the quarantine authorities. President Moon Jae-in held a metropolitan area quarantine countermeasure meeting with local government heads of the metropolitan area the day before for this very reason. At the meeting, President Moon said, "There remains anxiety that if a larger-scale group infection occurs or spreads in the metropolitan area, the efforts and achievements made so far for quarantine may be set back to square one."

Increase in Infected Individuals Among Incoming Travelers

The number of infected individuals among incoming travelers, presumed to be cases of overseas infection, is also increasing one by one. According to the Quarantine Countermeasure Headquarters, among the new confirmed cases on this day, two were identified as imported cases. On the 13th and 14th, four Korean nationals returning from overseas were confirmed positive during quarantine upon entry. Among 1,391 Koreans and foreigners who arrived from Europe the previous day, 76 showed symptoms such as fever, indicating a high possibility of additional cases emerging.

Meanwhile, the total number of new domestic cases on this day was 84, bringing the cumulative confirmed cases to 8,320. The number of newly released patients from isolation was 264, increasing the total number of released patients to 1,401. The death toll rose to 83, including 6 reported the previous day and 2 additional deaths confirmed on this day due to COVID-19.