A man in his 20s from Mokpo who visited Thailand tests positive for COVID-19... 5 close contacts test negative

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] As overseas imported cases of COVID-19 are increasing more than domestic cases, a man in his 20s who traveled to Thailand in Jeonnam has tested positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, all five people who had contact with him tested negative.

This man was not among the strengthened quarantine targets from Europe or the United States, but as Jeonnam Province mandated voluntary reporting for all overseas arrivals, he voluntarily visited a screening clinic, got tested, and was confirmed positive.

According to Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province on the 29th, A (25), residing in Mokpo, was confirmed positive for COVID-19 the previous day, becoming the 9th patient in Jeonnam.

Two family members and three friends who had contact with A all tested negative.

A stayed in Thailand from early January and returned on the morning of the 26th via Incheon Airport Terminal 2, took an express bus, and arrived at Gwangju Youth Square Terminal at 2:30 PM. Around 3:05 PM, he visited a luxury brand store at Shinsegae Department Store Gwangju branch.

Then, around 4:20 PM, he visited a hair salon in Usan-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, stopped by a convenience store in Munheung-dong at 4:39 PM, and then visited a friend's house.

On the 27th, at 12:20 AM, A visited a PC bang and convenience store in Munheung-dong, stayed at a friend's house, then at 2:23 PM took a taxi to Gwangju Youth Square Terminal, arrived in Mokpo at 3:40 PM, and took a taxi home.

Immediately after returning home, A walked to Mokpo Public Health Center for a COVID-19 test. At that time, his temperature was 36.5°C and he showed no other symptoms.

A visited restaurants, cafes, PC bangs, and marts consecutively before returning home. That night, he was confirmed positive and transferred to Gangjin Medical Center.

Gwangju City and Mokpo City completed disinfection of the stores A visited, his friend's house, and his own home. The stores are currently operating normally.

Jeonnam Province stated that the government has implemented stricter measures than the mandatory diagnostic testing and 14-day self-quarantine for arrivals from Europe starting on the 22nd, and mandatory self-quarantine for arrivals from the United States starting on the 27th, enabling early detection of the confirmed case.

Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok issued an emergency statement on the 29th, saying, "Jeonnam Province issued a 'Special Administrative Order for Overseas Entrants' on the 27th, mandating voluntary reporting and diagnostic testing for all overseas arrivals. A also received a notification text on the same day and underwent COVID-19 testing."

He added, "We have received a list of 77 arrivals from Europe and the United States from the government and are managing them intensively. We will continue to operate separate quarantine facilities for overseas arrivals and manage them thoroughly to prevent secondary and tertiary community infections caused by overseas importation."