On the morning of the 1st, when a cluster of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred in the Incheon area, COVID-19 prevention campaign workers passed in front of a church in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, where the cluster of confirmed cases occurred. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] A cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred during a worship service at a pioneering church meeting in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, and it has been revealed that among the confirmed cases were family members of the confirmed patients.
According to Incheon City on the 1st, A (46, female), who lives in Yeonsu-gu, tested positive for COVID-19. A is the younger sister of Pastor B (52, Incheon, 222nd confirmed case), who was confirmed positive the day before at a church in Michuhol-gu, Incheon.
A is understood to have attended a worship service at a newly established pioneering church meeting in Michuhol-gu on the 28th of last month together with her older sister B.
When her older sister B tested positive for COVID-19 on the 31st of last month, A underwent a first COVID-19 test but received a negative result.
After the negative result, she was admitted to a residential treatment center for isolation on the same day, and on the 1st, she tested positive for COVID-19 at the Yeonsu-gu Public Health Center.
Earlier, Pastor B, who tested positive, was found to have not worn a mask at the ㄴ Church in Bupyeong-gu on the 28th and at the ㄹ Church in Michuhol-gu on the 30th. She also did not wear a mask during praise activities.
On this day, the total number of confirmed cases related to the Incheon pioneering church worship, including A, rose to 29. Among them, 16 were pastors, 4 were pastors' family members, and 8 were contacts such as church members.
The Yeonsu-gu authorities announced that they notified the facilities used by the confirmed patients and completed closure measures on the same day.
Meanwhile, health authorities believe that the infection spread as pastors of newly established pioneering churches in Incheon circulated among churches, leading Bible study meetings and worship services.
In particular, B was investigated to have attended pioneering church meetings and worship services at about five churches in Michuhol-gu and Bupyeong-gu from the 28th to the 31st of last month, coming into contact with these confirmed cases.
They met daily during this period for meetings but reportedly did not follow even basic quarantine rules such as wearing masks.
Meanwhile, Incheon City issued a 'gathering restriction order' for all religious facilities on this day. The city held a meeting and decided to apply this to all 4,234 religious facilities, including 3,850 Christian churches, 112 Catholic churches, 189 Buddhist temples, and 83 others.
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