[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that occurred at Gwangju Gwangnyeoksa Temple and a church gathering in Suwon have been found to be related to a door-to-door sales company.
Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held on the 8th at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, "The cluster infections at Gwangnyeoksa Temple and the Suwon church gathering have been reclassified as related to door-to-door sales gatherings."
The cluster infection related to Gwangju Gwangnyeoksa Temple was newly classified as door-to-door sales related on this day. The cumulative number of confirmed cases is 95, with three additional confirmed cases on this day: one at Gwangnyeoksa Temple, one at Gwangju Ilgok Central Church, and one at SM Sauna.
In Gwangju, six new confirmed cases were also reported at a civil service exam academy located in Dong-gu. Head Jung said, "An investigation is underway regarding the connection with previously existing cluster outbreaks such as door-to-door sales."
The cluster infection related to the church gathering in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, was also included in the metropolitan area door-to-door sales category. On this day, five additional confirmed cases occurred at Gunpo Happy Rang Healing Center (1) and Goyang Wondang Catholic Church (4), bringing the cumulative total to 30.
The quarantine authorities are also investigating the connection between the metropolitan area door-to-door sales and the Goyang Wondang Catholic Church, where 30 people have been confirmed so far. Head Jung said, "Since the first infected church member visited a door-to-door sales company, it is classified as a case related to metropolitan area door-to-door sales."
The cluster infection related to door-to-door sales in Seo-gu, Daejeon, also increased by three on this day, totaling 87.
Head Jung said, "Promotional centers and experience centers related to door-to-door sales are prone to infection transmission because many visitors gather in enclosed environments and have prolonged contact. Small-scale briefings through home visits also pose a high risk of infection because conversations occur in close proximity for extended periods during product explanations."
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