"71% of Confirmed Cases at Incheon Gaechuk Church Were Initially Asymptomatic" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] It has been confirmed that 71% of the confirmed cases related to the Incheon Gaechuk Church were asymptomatic.

Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 2nd, "Among the 24 confirmed cases, 17 were asymptomatic (in the early stages of infection), making it difficult to suspect infection based on symptoms alone."

According to Incheon City, the small group meeting at the Gaechuk Church in Incheon, where 24 confirmed cases occurred, involved a small number of people gathering closely in a confined space without wearing masks, engaging in hymns and prayers. Son explained, "Because personal quarantine guidelines such as wearing masks were not followed, 73% of the attendees were infected."

On the other hand, large churches that strictly followed quarantine rules such as social distancing, wearing masks, and refraining from singing hymns showed no or minimal spread of infection. Son emphasized, "We have also learned that strict adherence to quarantine rules can block such spread," adding, "Quarantine is no longer optional but essential."