Itaewon Club Confirmed Case Visited Multiple Entertainment Venues Including Bucheon Nightclub
Contact Tracing Delayed... Concerns Over Community Transmission
Experts "Community Transmission Occurring Widely... Must Stay Vigilant"
On the 12th, Yongsan-gu Public Health Center officials conducted disinfection work at the club 'Made' in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] "The epidemiological investigation is still ongoing, and I feel anxious.", "I'm afraid it might spread through community transmission."
Although the surge of cluster infections originating from Itaewon clubs in Seoul has subsided, concerns are rising that the confirmed COVID-19 patient who visited Itaewon clubs also visited nightclubs and various entertainment facilities in Bucheon, potentially leading to a resurgence.
In particular, anxiety has intensified as it was revealed that Mr. A used public transportation after visiting these facilities, which could become a trigger for a COVID-19 cluster infection. There are calls for additional measures to prevent the spread of community infections.
According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters and Bucheon City in Gyeonggi Province on the 18th, Mr. A (32), a Vietnamese national residing in Songjeong-dong, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, visited an Itaewon club on the 1st of this month and then visited a Bucheon nightclub from 11:48 PM on the 9th to 12:34 AM on the 10th.
It was confirmed that about 250 people were present at the nightclub while Mr. A was there.
Moreover, during this period, he came into contact with 32 acquaintances, 6 people at a nearby pub and karaoke room, and 1 person while using a taxi.
Notably, on the 15th, when he underwent testing, it was confirmed that he returned home in Gwangju, Gyeonggi, using a taxi and subway.
Accordingly, Bucheon City and health authorities believe that the number of contacts may increase once the epidemiological investigation results for the nightclub are released, and they are urging visitors to voluntarily undergo testing.
Men and women are enjoying nightlife at a club. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
At a regular briefing held at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk on the same day, Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, explained, "We have secured the visitor list for the nightclub, but it is difficult to specify who entered at what time, so the scale of contacts at that time has not yet been identified."
She added, "Health authorities are contacting facility visitors, but it may take some time," and requested, "Those who visited 'Merit Night' in Bucheon between 11:48 PM on the 9th and 12:34 AM on the 10th are asked to contact their local health center or 1339 and get tested."
Given the situation, some voices express concern that the possibility of community transmission is high. This is because health authorities have not yet identified the scale of Mr. A's contacts, raising fears that infections may increase.
Office worker Mr. B (29) said, "There was concern that COVID-19 might spread again due to the Itaewon clubs, but the situation stabilized again. However, this has happened again. This time, the patient visited many places, so the epidemiological investigation seems to be taking longer. I heard that beyond the known contacts, many more people might have come into contact with this patient. I'm afraid it might spread through community transmission."
Another office worker, Ms. C (26), said, "I thought it had finally settled down. But now it's a nightclub. It's frustrating that the whole nation suffers because of one person repeatedly. I think legal measures should be taken to prevent this." She criticized, "If infections surge again because of this one confirmed patient who visited multiple entertainment facilities, everything will return to square one."
Some also point out that about 2,000 visitors to the Itaewon clubs remain uncontacted, which remains a problem. There are calls for punishment for those who cannot be reached at all.
On the morning of the 15th, citizens visiting the COVID-19 screening clinic set up in the yard in front of Yeongdeungpo Public Health Center in Seoul are undergoing screening tests. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Recently, a petition titled "Please punish those who avoid COVID-19 testing after visiting Itaewon clubs" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.
The petitioner, who identified herself as a mother of two children, said, "I told my frustrated children that the COVID-19 situation seemed to be improving and that soon they could go to school and play happily with friends at the playground." She added, "But just a few days after saying this, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased again."
She continued, "I expected that if we held on a little longer, we could quickly return to the normal daily life everyone wants. But I am very angry that the efforts of many people were wasted because of those who visited such entertainment establishments." She urged, "If all visitors to the Itaewon clubs avoid testing or do not respond to contact, then all treatment costs for those who later test positive for COVID-19 should be borne by themselves, or they should be punished separately."
Experts pointed out that community infections are occurring in various places, so vigilance must not be relaxed.
Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "Health authorities and experts have repeatedly warned that cluster infections would occur in new places or situations." He added, "Especially, there are many foreign residents in Korea, but testing rates are low due to cost and other factors. Also, illegal residents avoid testing out of fear of deportation. This makes it difficult to manage them within the system."
He continued, "Even before the Vietnamese confirmed case, localized community infections were already occurring in various places. 'Silent transmission' is still happening in many regions. About 5% of cases are of unknown origin, so vigilance must not be relaxed." He advised, "Because community transmission exists, wearing masks is recommended, and not only masks but also handwashing, cough etiquette, and environmental hygiene should all be observed for effective prevention."
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