18 Confirmed Cases Related to Manmin Central Church... First Occurrence in Gwanak-gu (Comprehensive)

On the 29th, the entrance to Manmin Central Church in Guro-gu, Seoul, is 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 Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to Manmin Central Church in Guro-gu, Seoul has increased to 18. 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 residents of Geumcheon-gu suspected of contact with Manmin Central Church and underwent testing. The remaining 18 tested negative.

In Gwanak-gu, a 56-year-old woman residing in Euncheon-dong, who is a member of Manmin Central Church, was confirmed positive. This is the first COVID-19 case related to Manmin Central Church in Gwanak-gu. She is the 25th patient in Gwanak-gu.

As of the afternoon of 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, 1 in Gwanak-gu, and 1 in Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi Province. Previously, as of the 28th, there were 12 confirmed cases related to Manmin Central Church in Seoul, and 1 case (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 several local governments including Guro-gu, where the church is located; Dongjak-gu, where the pastor’s residence and office are; Yeongdeungpo-gu, where members live or work; and Gwangmyeong-si in Gyeonggi Province. As the number of confirmed cases continues to rise, concerns about a cluster infection surrounding Manmin Central Church are growing stronger.