All 42 Staff Members at Sangju Yeolbang Center Visited by Confirmed Case Test Negative

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju Cheol-in] All 42 people, including staff at the missionary center in Sangju visited by Pastor A (52) from Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), have tested negative.

Sangju City announced on the 25th that all 42 specimens collected from BTJ Yeolbam Center staff and others on the afternoon of the 24th tested negative.

In particular, the representative of the Yeolbam Center, who was classified as a close contact after dining with Pastor A, also tested negative.

Additionally, Sangju City collected specimens from 72 more people, including Yeolbam Center staff, on the same day and requested further testing.

Pastor A visited the BTJ Yeolbam Center around 3:30 PM on the 22nd with three others, including another pastor, from Uijeongbu-si. After being guided by one center staff member to tour the facility, he had a meal with the Yeolbam Center representative and nine others, then returned to Uijeongbu around 7 PM.

Pastor A exhibited respiratory symptoms and body aches, was tested at a hospital in Uijeongbu on the 23rd, and received a positive result on the afternoon of the 24th.

A Sangju City official stated, "There are a total of 10 people who had close contact with Pastor A," adding, "Except for the Yeolbam Center representative, the nine others residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do have been reported to their respective city, county, or district offices."