[Summary] Itaewon Club Anyang and Yangpyeong Confirmed Cases Visited Gangnam 'Black Sleep Room'

Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Gyeonggi's Anyang and Yangpyeong Counties Visiting Itaewon Clubs Also Visited 'Black Sleep Room'
Facility in Gangnam-gu Voluntarily Closed After Disinfection, Epidemiological Investigation Underway

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Gangnam-gu, Seoul confirmed that COVID-19 confirmed patients from Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, and Yangpyeong-gun visited the 'Black Sleep Room' located in Gangnam-gu. Some media have reported Black Sleep Room as a sauna frequented by homosexuals, raising concerns that those who share the same movement paths as these confirmed patients may find it difficult to voluntarily report themselves due to social stigma.

The confirmed patients from Anyang and Yangpyeong-gun who visited Black Sleep Room had previously visited Itaewon clubs in Seoul, where COVID-19 infections are rapidly increasing.

Gangnam-gu, Seoul announced on the 9th that confirmed patients from Anyang-si and Yangpyeong-gun visited 'Black Sleep Room' at 20, Gangnam-daero 114-gil from 12:30 AM on the 4th to 8:30 AM the following day.

Black Sleep Room was ordered to voluntarily close after disinfection. An epidemiological investigation is currently underway at the site, and identified contacts will be subject to self-quarantine measures.

Gangnam-gu 'Safety Alert Message'

District Mayor Jung Soon-gyun urged, "Those who visited during the specified time must visit the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center to undergo specimen testing."

On the same day, one additional COVID-19 case was confirmed in Gangnam-gu, bringing the total to 65. The new confirmed case is a 19-year-old male university student residing in Yeoksam-dong.

He visited the Itaewon pubs 'Sulpan' and 'King Club' in the early mornings of the 1st and 2nd, which were previously visited by a confirmed patient from Yongin-si. Although he showed no particular symptoms afterward, he tested positive after visiting the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center for testing on the 8th.

Gangnam-gu has isolated this confirmed patient and disinfected three cafes and one restaurant identified as part of the patient's movement path. The epidemiological investigation identified 12 contacts.

Among four tested contacts, three were confirmed positive in other local governments. The remaining eight are currently undergoing testing.

On the afternoon of the 8th, when additional infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred at a club in Itaewon, Seoul, visited by patient number 66 from Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, the government issued an administrative order recommending the suspension of operations for one month at clubs and other entertainment facilities. A temporary closure notice is displayed on the screen in front of a voluntarily closed club in Itaewon, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, as infections originating from Itaewon clubs surged, Seoul City issued an administrative order on the 9th to prohibit gatherings at 225 entertainment facilities in Gangnam.

Gangnam-gu formed a joint inspection team with Gangnam and Suseo Police Stations to frequently check compliance and plans to take legal action against businesses found violating the order.

These facilities must immediately cease operations until a separate lifting order is issued, and violators will be subject to penalties.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon stated at an emergency COVID-19 briefing held at Seoul City Hall that "A cluster infection occurred at Yongsan Itaewon clubs, resulting in 27 confirmed cases in Seoul alone and 40 nationwide. We anticipate more confirmed cases and are ordering all entertainment facilities to suspend operations."

Mayor Park explained, "This cluster infection occurred after 18 days without a single local infection, showing a clear calming trend, so it is a situation that requires renewed vigilance. Since the 7th, we have formed a rapid response team to try to block local spread early."

He urged voluntary testing for those who visited Itaewon clubs. Mayor Park said, "The information on the lists created at Itaewon clubs was largely inaccurate. Of the 1,946 names, only 637 were contacted, and 1,309 remain unreachable."

He added, "Seoul City will work with the police to ensure that the 1,309 unreachable individuals get tested. We strongly recommend that they voluntarily undergo testing beforehand."

Seoul City plans to cooperate with the police to investigate credit card usage records and mobile phone usage details.