COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Regular Briefing
1 Case of 7th Generation Infection... 20 Cases of 5th to 6th Generation Infection Spread
An academy in Michuhol-gu where an Incheon academy instructor, confirmed with COVID-19 after visiting Itaewon clubs, worked. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) related to Itaewon clubs in Seoul has spread up to the 7th generation of infection. The total confirmed cases have reached 255, an increase of 18 from the previous day.
According to the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters as of 12 PM on the 26th, 96 patients were confirmed after directly visiting Itaewon clubs, and 159 were contacts such as family and acquaintances. Most of the newly added patients recently are contacts, so-called n-th generation infection cases.
The health authorities have also confirmed cases up to the 7th generation infection. Starting from an academy instructor in Incheon who visited Itaewon clubs, the infection spread to academy students, then to a person who stayed together at the Top Coin Karaoke room. Subsequently, additional patients emerged at a restaurant called Raon Party House in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province (during a first birthday party), and from there, transmission occurred at another restaurant called Illuori in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, visited by someone who had been to Raon Party House. Customers and employees who visited Illuori were infected, and later, one family member of a patient who visited another restaurant called Igane Gopchang in Seongdong-gu was confirmed positive.
Besides this, related to Itaewon clubs, 12 cases of 6th generation infection and 8 cases of 5th generation infection have been identified. There are 25 cases of 4th generation infection, 25 cases of 3rd generation infection, and 20 cases of 2nd generation infection. Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said, "Rather than the number of transmission generations, it has been confirmed that one patient can cause a significant amount of transmission," adding, "We emphasize once again the importance of active cooperation in epidemiological investigations and getting tested if there are any suspicious symptoms or if one feels unwell."
On the morning of the 26th, an eerie silence fell over the Coupang logistics center in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, where a surge of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred. Coupang closed the center after confirmed cases were detected among the logistics center workers. Continuous Additional Confirmed Cases in Church Cluster Infections
8 More Cases at Coupang Logistics Center... Club-Related Cases
Mass Testing of Dormitory Residents in Gyeongsan, Cheongdo, and Incheon
In addition, although the initial infection routes are unclear, small-scale cluster infections continue to emerge nationwide. Regarding the Wonuh Bible Study Group classified as a Gyeonggi Province case, one more confirmed case was added at Eunhye Church in Dobong-gu, Seoul, bringing the total to 9 patients so far. Eunhye Methodist Church in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Hwado Uri Church in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, and Joo Sarang Church in Uijeongbu are grouped together. Regarding Elim Church in Gumi, Gyeongbuk Province, one more family member of a church member was confirmed positive, increasing the total to 9. This cluster infection is related to students and families of Daegu Agricultural Meister High School.
Regarding the Coupang logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, 8 more confirmed cases have been reported. These cases were tentatively classified as club-related cases after visiting Raon Party on the 9th, and the specific infection routes are currently under epidemiological investigation. Additionally, one soldier with an unknown infection route was confirmed positive in Daegu.
On the 26th, one day before in-person classes for 11th graders, 9th graders, and 1st and 2nd graders, a nutrition teacher at Sindong Elementary School cafeteria in Seocho-gu, Seoul, is marking X signs by leaving one seat empty on both sides as a social distancing measure. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
In preparation for the additional school reopening on the 27th, the health authorities have decided to conduct diagnostic tests on all students living in dormitories in selected areas where cluster infections occurred to assess the risk within schools. Testing is currently underway for high school students and university dormitory residents in Gyeongsan and Cheongdo, Gyeongbuk Province, and will be conducted over two days starting on the 27th for high school dormitory residents in Incheon. The manpower required for testing is being supported by the Ministry of National Defense.
Deputy Director Kwon said, "In the past, we have continuously investigated patients in high-risk facilities or institutions such as nursing hospitals or psychiatric hospitals in special risk areas," adding, "As part of blocking infection sources and quarantine measures, we are conducting (mass testing) in consultation with related ministries."
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