Dongjak-gu, 6 COVID-19 Cases Confirmed at Itaewon Clubs... Full Effort to Prevent Spread

Decision to Implement Strengthened Living Quarantine Equivalent to Social Distancing at Expanded Executive Meeting Led by Dongjak-gu Mayor Lee Chang-woo on the 12th... Total of 6 Confirmed Cases Related to Itaewon Clubs: 4 Visitors, 2 Infected Through Contact with Visitors... 223 Users of Noryangjin Congo Fitness Center Placed Under Self-Quarantine and Tested... Inspection of Compliance with Suspension of Operations at 49 Entertainment Facilities... Confirmation of Quarantine Rule Compliance at 936 Religious and Multi-use Facilities

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) has launched an all-out response to block further community transmission of COVID-19 following the spread of infections originating from Itaewon clubs.

The 37th confirmed case in Dongjak-gu, a male in his 20s residing in Sangdo-dong, was tested at the Dongjak-gu Public Health Center on the 11th and confirmed positive on the 12th. The infection route is presumed to be contact with a confirmed patient who visited an Itaewon club.

Since the 8th, a total of six confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs have been reported in Dongjak-gu.

Among them, cases 32, 33, 34, and 37 were confirmed patients who visited Itaewon clubs, while cases 35 (contact with case 32 at the Konggo Fitness facility) and 36 (contact with case 17 in Jungnang-gu) were infected through contact with individuals who visited the clubs.

To prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the community, the district has expanded its comprehensive investigation targets from April 24 to May 5 to include not only entertainment establishments in the Itaewon area but also general restaurants. As of May 11, 281 people tested negative.

Based on epidemiological investigations, 223 people who used the Konggo Fitness Center at the same time as confirmed patients from May 4 to 7 have been placed under self-quarantine, and testing is being conducted for these individuals.

Additionally, the district held an expanded executive meeting chaired by the mayor at the district office’s planning situation room to devise measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 related to Itaewon clubs. It was decided to maintain a strengthened daily quarantine system equivalent to social distancing until the situation stabilizes.

Accordingly, the district prioritizes protecting residents from COVID-19 by first safeguarding public health centers, local medical personnel (facilities), and frontline public officials, and is strengthening its emergency response system.

A full survey is being conducted on all district office employees and staff of affiliated organizations, emphasizing service manuals such as wearing masks during work and daily health checks.

Following the administrative order to prohibit gatherings at entertainment facilities, the district conducts daily inspections of 49 entertainment establishments in the area to ensure compliance. If owners do not comply with the order, they will be reported under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

For 936 facilities at risk of group infections, management is conducted in accordance with social distancing guidelines. On-site inspections are carried out to check compliance with quarantine guidelines at 329 religious facilities and 607 sports and cultural facilities, with administrative guidance provided in case of violations.

The district has strengthened quarantine measures for all public facilities in the area, including postponing the opening date of social welfare centers from May 11 to May 25. The district’s quarantine headquarters continues to carry out disinfection throughout the district, including subway stations, parks, multi-use facilities, and passageways.

Lee Chang-woo, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “As additional confirmed cases continue to occur, we will maximize COVID-19 testing capacity and quickly identify confirmed patients to protect the lives and safety of residents. We ask residents to refrain from gatherings and visiting crowded, enclosed indoor spaces with high transmission risk, and to strictly follow hygiene rules as individuals responsible for quarantine.”