'Bujagu' Gangnam-gu US International Students Confirmed Cases Increase to 7

On the 26th, four new COVID-19 positive cases were confirmed: two American international students, an international student's mother, and a company CEO who returned from a business trip to South America.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the 26th, four new COVID-19 positive cases were confirmed in Gangnam-gu, including two American international students, a mother of an international student, and a company CEO who recently returned from a business trip to South America.

With this, the number of confirmed American international students residing in Gangnam-gu has increased to seven.

A 25-year-old international student attending a university in New York State arrived at Incheon Airport on the afternoon of the 22nd via Asiana Airlines flight OZ221 from New York after the school closed. He stayed at his home in Gaepo-dong and his father's house in Jeonju. After undergoing a specimen test at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center yesterday afternoon, he was confirmed positive on the 26th.

However, epidemiological investigation revealed that this student had experienced anosmia (loss of smell) since the 18th, before entering the country. It is known that there was a confirmed case at the university at that time, suggesting that he was already infected at school before returning home.

Similarly, a 19-year-old female international student attending a university in New York State arrived at Incheon Airport on the 17th at 4:25 PM via Asiana Airlines flight OZ221 after the school dormitory was closed. She stayed at her home in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu. She had no symptoms upon arrival but began to show cold symptoms on the morning of the 21st, followed by loss of smell and taste and headaches. After undergoing a specimen test at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center on the 25th, she was confirmed positive.

A 62-year-old company CEO managing a business in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, went on a business trip to two South American countries starting January 15th. He arrived at Incheon Airport at 5 PM on the 21st via Emirates Airlines flight EK322 from S?o Paulo Airport, Brazil. His condition worsened from the 22nd, and from the 24th, he developed cough and flu-like symptoms. After testing at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center on the 25th afternoon, he was confirmed positive.

Additionally, the 52-year-old mother of an American international student who returned on the 15th and was confirmed positive at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center yesterday had traveled around Jeju Island with her daughter from the 20th. After her daughter tested positive, she underwent a specimen test at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center on the 25th afternoon upon Gangnam-gu's recommendation and was confirmed positive on the 26th.

Gangnam-gu completed epidemiological investigations on the four confirmed cases on the 26th, notified the quarantine office at Incheon Airport about the flights they took, and conducted disinfection of their homes and movement paths. Family members and contacts were placed under self-quarantine.

Recently, positive cases among overseas arrivals, including American international students, have been occurring consecutively in Gangnam-gu.

Jung Soon-gyun, the district mayor, said, "We earnestly request international students and residents of Gangnam-gu arriving from overseas, including the U.S. and Europe, to voluntarily self-quarantine for two weeks to protect your own health, your families, and the 570,000 residents of Gangnam-gu. Regardless of symptoms, please visit the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center, Samsung Seoul Hospital, or Gangnam Severance Hospital within three days of arrival to undergo specimen testing."

《Confirmed Cases Movement Routes》

■ 25-year-old male

Under epidemiological investigation

■ 19-year-old female

Under epidemiological investigation

■ 62-year-old male

□ March 21

17:00 Incheon Airport → 19:35 Gas station inside Incheon Airport → 20:30 Stayed at Shilla Stay Yeoksam Branch

□ March 21?25

Hotel room

□ March 25

17:00 Tested at Gangnam-gu Public Health Center screening clinic