On the 29th, the entrance to Manmin Central Church in Guro-gu, Seoul, was closed. Guro-gu closed the church on the 27th due to a surge in confirmed cases of COVID-19 related to Manmin Central Church, and plans to adjust the closure period based on test results. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to Manmin Central Church in Guro-gu, Seoul has increased to 17. Since diagnostic testing for suspected contacts is still ongoing, the number of confirmed cases is expected to rise further.
According to Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 29th, four siblings who are church members were simultaneously confirmed positive. They are a 52-year-old man and women aged 49, 54, and 55. They are managed as patients number 9, 10, 11, and 12 in Geumcheon-gu, respectively. They were among the 22 Geumcheon-gu residents suspected of contact with Manmin Central Church and underwent testing. The remaining 18 tested negative.
As of noon on the 29th, the number of confirmed cases related to Manmin Central Church by autonomous district is 8 in Geumcheon-gu, 5 in Guro-gu, 2 in Dongjak-gu, 1 in Yeongdeungpo-gu, and 1 in Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi Province. Previously, as of the 28th, there were 12 confirmed cases related to Manmin Central Church recorded in Seoul, and 1 case (patient number 7 in Gwangmyeong-si) in Gyeonggi Province.
Currently, testing for suspected contacts related to Manmin Central Church is being conducted not only in Geumcheon-gu but also in Guro-gu, where the place of worship is located; Dongjak-gu, where the pastor’s residence and office are located; Yeongdeungpo-gu, where church members live or work; and Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi Province, among other local governments. As the number of confirmed cases continues to increase, concerns over a cluster infection surrounding Manmin Central Church are growing stronger.
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