[Summary] Tragedy of Guro Call Center Employee... Entire Family Confirmed with COVID-19

40s Male Family Member Infected Dies... Husband of Guro Call Center Employee
'Lung Cancer' Underlying Condition Cause Under Investigation
Unable to Hold Family Funeral Due to COVID-19 Impact

Reference photo. Call center. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The first death among confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Seoul has been reported.

The deceased was the husband of an employee at a call center in Guro-gu, Seoul, where a cluster infection occurred. The husband was suffering from lung cancer, and because of this, the wife was responsible for supporting the household.

To make matters worse, the entire family, including the wife, husband, son, and daughter, all tested positive, resulting in the whole family being infected. Additionally, due to COVID-19, the family is unable to hold a funeral, causing sorrow among those around them.

According to officials from Seoul City and Mapo District Office on the 7th, Mr. A (44), residing in Mangwon-dong, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on the 19th of last month and was receiving treatment at Sinchon Severance Hospital before passing away on this day.

Mr. A, who was in the terminal stage of lung cancer, was infected at home by his wife (39), who contracted COVID-19 at the call center in the Korea Building in Sindorim-dong, Guro-gu, earlier last month (confirmed on the 18th). The son (15) and daughter (12) living with them were also confirmed positive the following day, the 19th. The wife and son have since recovered and been discharged. The daughter is currently undergoing inpatient treatment.

On February 16th, health center officials are conducting quarantine measures in the emergency room of Korea University Anam Hospital. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Mr. A was unable to engage in normal work activities due to lung cancer and was reportedly battling the illness at home. The wife was known to be working at the call center to support the household in place of her husband, who was fighting lung cancer.

The wife began showing COVID-19 symptoms on the 16th of last month. Upon noticing symptoms, she visited a screening clinic in Mapo-gu on the 17th, where she tested positive.

Following the wife's positive diagnosis, the entire family, including Mr. A and the children, were tested on the 18th and were subsequently confirmed positive. Mr. A was hospitalized at Sinchon Severance Hospital, while the wife and children were isolated and began treatment at Seonam Hospital.

The exact cause of Mr. A's death is currently under investigation. A Seoul city official explained, "Since he was suffering from lung cancer, it is highly likely that the death was related to lung cancer, but because he was also confirmed positive for COVID-19, it is expected to be counted as a COVID-19 death." The official added, "An accurate investigation into the cause of death is underway in consultation with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency."

The funeral will be arranged by the district office. A Mapo District Office official stated, "Because the family cannot hold a funeral due to COVID-19, the Mapo Public Health Center plans to handle the transportation of the body and funeral procedures."

Meanwhile, according to Seoul City, as of 6 p.m. on the previous day (7th), the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was 581. Among them, 216 cases were related to overseas contact.