[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] The increase in COVID-19 cases centered around church small group meetings in Gyeonggi-do is not subsiding.
Im Seung-kwan, co-head of the Gyeonggi-do COVID-19 Emergency Response Team (Director of Gyeonggi-do Medical Center Anseong Hospital), stated at the regular briefing on the 3rd, "There were a total of 12 new confirmed cases in the province on this day, all of which were community infections," adding, "The types of cases were 5 related to the Incheon Gaechuk Church, 4 related to the An-yang and Gunpo pastors' meeting, 1 related to the Incheon real estate cluster infection, and 2 of unknown origin."
The number of confirmed cases related to the metropolitan area Gaechuk Church in the province increased by 5 from midnight the previous day to a total of 8, with 6 related to the church and 2 infected through additional community transmission.
Among the confirmed cases, one was confirmed to be working at Maehwa Dingdongdang Daycare Center in Siheung, and diagnostic tests are being conducted on 40 children and staff at the daycare center.
Another confirmed case was found to be operating a cafe in Bucheon, and tests are being conducted on 32 contacts.
The number of confirmed cases related to the An-yang and Gunpo pastors' meeting in Jeju Island increased by 4 as of midnight on the 3rd, bringing the total to 15 people across 4 churches (6 in An-yang, 9 in Gunpo).
Regarding the An-yang and Gunpo pastors' meeting, since the first index patient appeared, 527 people have undergone diagnostic testing, with 14 confirmed positive, 314 negative, and 199 still being tested.
The 4 newly confirmed cases are all additional community transmission cases related to the pastors' meeting.
Two children of the index patient related to Gunpo Sae-eonyak Church, who was first confirmed positive on the 30th of last month, were additionally confirmed positive on the 2nd of this month.
Also, the spouse of a pastor from Gunpo Eunhye Shinil Church, who was already confirmed positive, was identified as an employee at the An-yang Coca-Cola logistics center. Tests were conducted on 251 employees who had contact during the 28th and 29th of last month, resulting in 1 additional confirmed case on the 2nd. Ninety-nine tested negative, and 151 are currently undergoing testing. One church member who had contact with a confirmed case related to Gunpo Changdahan Church was also additionally confirmed positive on the 2nd.
The province has currently issued administrative orders banning gatherings at entertainment bars, emotional bars, colatecs, danran bars, and coin karaoke rooms until the 7th. Additionally, administrative orders restricting gatherings have been issued until the 14th for logistics warehouses, transportation and delivery logistics facilities, collection centers, call centers, funeral halls, and wedding halls.
As of midnight on the 3rd, the total number of confirmed cases in Gyeonggi-do was 881, an increase of 12 from midnight the previous day.
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