237 confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs... 12 more than the previous day
Community transmission continues... 7 cases of 5th generation infection, 1 case of 6th generation infection
Officials from Jung-gu Office in Seoul and staff from Gwanghui-dong Resident Autonomy Center are disinfecting commercial facilities in the area, including karaoke rooms.<이미지:Yonhap News>
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Daeyeol] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to Itaewon clubs in Seoul increased to 237 as of noon on the 25th. This is 12 more than the previous day, with cases of transmission up to the 6th generation reported.
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, as of 12 p.m. on this day, 96 people who visited Itaewon clubs were confirmed positive, and 141 people who were infected through contact with confirmed cases such as family, acquaintances, and coworkers were counted, totaling 237 cases. This is the second largest cluster infection case in the country after Shincheonji Church of Jesus (5,212 cases).
After visiting Itaewon clubs, the number of community-level infected patients who transmitted the virus to others around them is steadily increasing. There are 7 cases of 5th generation infection and 1 case of 6th generation infection. The 5th generation infection cases are related to an Incheon academy instructor who was confirmed positive after visiting Itaewon clubs. Due to false statements during the initial epidemiological investigation, the response was delayed, resulting in additional patients. The instructor’s student visited a karaoke room, and other students who visited the same karaoke room, followed by the student’s father and his coworker, were confirmed positive. In addition, 7 people were classified as 5th generation infection cases through spread via karaoke rooms and restaurants.
The buffet at a first birthday party in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, is also a case linked to the academy instructor. After visiting the buffet, a person was confirmed positive, and a coworker working at the same restaurant was infected. Subsequently, the coworker’s husband was confirmed positive. According to Seoul City, a taxi driver in Jungnang-gu was judged by health authorities to be a 6th generation infection case.
The health authorities said it is difficult to block the transmission chain as patients were not detected early. Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said, “Although the academy instructor was late in revealing their identity, exposure had already occurred through the academy and karaoke rooms by the time this patient was identified.” She added, “About 17 days have passed since the outbreak, and the occurrence of transmission up to the 6th generation shows that the COVID-19 virus spreads rapidly and has high infectivity, including asymptomatic patients in between, making epidemiological investigations and containment difficult.”
In Incheon, eight confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) linked to the "Seoul Itaewon club" outbreak have been reported. According to Incheon City on the 13th, a total of eight people tested positive for COVID-19, including two in Yeonsu-gu, three in Michuhol-gu, and three in Jung-gu. The eight confirmed cases on this day were identified as contacts of Mr. A, a tutor at Seum Academy located in Michuhol-gu, who was confirmed positive on the 9th after visiting clubs in Itaewon. The photo shows Seum Academy in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, on the same day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Director Jung also said, “In another sense, local governments are diligently investigating and following up to the 6th generation, continuously blocking and managing contacts.” Although the number of people to be managed, such as contacts of confirmed cases, has increased, they are being included within the quarantine network management targets.
Regarding the disclosure of the names of multi-use facilities such as pubs, PC rooms, and karaoke rooms visited by confirmed cases, she said, “It is difficult to check and contact everyone daily for testing due to time constraints,” and urged, “If you have visited these places, please get tested regardless of symptoms.”
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