[Q&A] "Strict Response to False Statements and Missing Related Data in Epidemiological Investigations"

Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19 [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Amid the occurrence of 2 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to entertainment establishments in Gangnam, Seoul, quarantine authorities have expressed their determination to respond strictly if false statements or omission of related data are found during epidemiological investigations.

On the afternoon of the 8th, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, said at a regular briefing, "We have received reports that there is a tendency to evade statements during the testimony process of confirmed patients," adding, "If there are false statements, concealment, or omissions during the epidemiological investigation, the quarantine authorities will strictly enforce the law."

According to the current Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, intentional omission or concealment of facts during epidemiological investigations can result in imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine of up to 20 million won. At an entertainment establishment in Gangnam, Seoul, 2 confirmed cases have been identified among workers, and epidemiological investigations of contacts are currently underway. Some of the confirmed patients and contacts have not properly reported their movement routes or have not accurately disclosed certain personal information during the epidemiological investigation process conducted by the quarantine authorities and local governments, causing controversy. As of today, the quarantine authorities have identified 117 contacts.

Below is the Q&A with Deputy Head Kwon regarding false statements in epidemiological investigations and domestic occurrence status

- The Seoul Metropolitan Government reported 118 contacts related to confirmed cases at Gangnam entertainment establishments, and among those tested so far, 18 have tested negative.

▲ There may be numerical differences due to the timing of data collection by the local government and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters or the preparation time for media briefings. Currently, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters has identified 117 contacts.

- You mentioned that submitting false data or intentionally omitting or concealing facts is unacceptable. Are you actually facing difficulties in investigations due to such issues?

▲ Although it has not been finally confirmed, we have received reports that there is a tendency to evade statements during the testimony process of the relevant confirmed patients. Each case in the epidemiological investigation is very important, so even before final confirmation, we inform about the penalties under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and express our determination that if there is evasion, false statements, concealment, or omission during the epidemiological investigation, the quarantine authorities will strictly enforce the law.

- Some hospitals are conducting plasma therapy. How many plasma donations have been made by recovered patients so far?

▲ The Central Clinical Committee meets every Thursday, and tomorrow (the 9th), we plan to discuss cases of convalescent plasma therapy with experts. So far, there have been a total of 3 attempts at convalescent plasma therapy. According to the guidelines currently under final written review, convalescent plasma will be collected once at 500 ml between 14 days and 3 months after release from isolation, and plasma therapy will be attempted. We plan to promptly and concretely prepare guidelines for securing convalescent plasma and its use in treatment, as well as financial support measures. According to the guidelines, among medical institutions nationwide, those operating blood banks will primarily secure plasma from confirmed patients who have been released from isolation and attempt treatment. Exceptionally, other medical institutions may also participate, and we plan to discuss with experts the participation plans of the Korean Red Cross or other blood banks that perform blood management duties, based on rough conceptual plans.

- Patient number 31 has been hospitalized for over 50 days. Are there cases of longer hospitalization?

▲ From today onward, patient number 31 is the longest hospitalized case. During the 2015 MERS outbreak, the last case was hospitalized for nearly 6 months. According to literature, foreign cases, and internal experience, mild cases usually recover within 2 weeks as symptoms disappear, but severe cases may last 3 to 4 weeks or longer, as in the case of patient number 31.

- How many cases of reinfection after recovery from COVID-19 have been reported nationwide?

▲ As of midnight on the 8th, 65 cases of reinfection have been identified. The highest numbers are in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Regarding this, along with convalescent plasma, we plan to discuss further with experts at tomorrow’s Central Clinical Committee meeting. During the morning Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting, local governments and provincial governors also discussed this issue extensively. We plan to discuss various situations such as viral reactivation, failure of antibody formation, and possible testing errors. We will attempt to isolate the virus and verify whether reinfection cases are infectious, and review the latest foreign situations, papers, and guidelines from other countries.

- The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters is preparing for a second wave. Which region is the quarantine authorities most closely monitoring?

▲ Since COVID-19 virus is mainly transmitted through the respiratory tract within about 2 meters in crowded environments and through hand-to-hand contact, the metropolitan area, which has a high population density and a large number of young people who can maintain transmission chains in the community, is the most concerning area. Ultimately, the metropolitan area has a large population, high density, a high proportion of young people, and relatively many medical institutions, but the quarantine authorities believe sufficient preparation is necessary.