Daejeon Metro Staff Member Reinfected with COVID-19 After Recovery... First Local Case

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The first case of COVID-19 reinfection has been reported in Daejeon.

According to Daejeon City on the 9th, a woman in her 40s, Ms. A(#6), was diagnosed with COVID-19 reinfection on the same day. Ms. A, a Daejeon Metro station staff member, was discharged after being declared recovered from COVID-19 on the 27th of last month, but was re-admitted to the negative pressure isolation ward at Chungnam National University Hospital on the 8th after testing positive again.

Previously, Ms. A tested positive for COVID-19 on February 26 and received treatment at Chungnam National University Hospital and Veterans Hospital until the 26th of last month, after which she was discharged on the 27th following a recovery diagnosis.

However, while preparing to return to work, she began coughing again on the 6th and visited the Daedeok-gu Public Health Center screening clinic for testing, which confirmed reinfection (positive), according to city officials.

Currently, Ms. A is reported to be in good health with no symptoms other than coughing. However, as this is the first reinfection case in the region, the city decided to hospitalize her at Chungnam National University Hospital for treatment.

Additionally, three people who were confirmed to have recently been in contact with Ms. A, including family members and colleagues she consulted with before returning to work, have been placed under self-quarantine.

Earlier, considering the recent surge in reinfection cases after recovery in Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and nearby Chungnam and Sejong, the city is conducting comprehensive diagnostic testing on all COVID-19 recovered patients residing in Daejeon.

The comprehensive diagnostic testing is expected to be completed on the 9th. The city plans to take immediate action according to the confirmed case response manual if any positive results are found.

A city official stated, “Although this is the first reinfection case in Daejeon, Ms. A practiced social distancing, so there are no identified risk factors,” and added, “The city will continue to manage recovered patients to prevent community infections caused by reinfections.”