Total of 16 People Including 8 More Related to Goyang Banseok Church

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] As small-scale group infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue to occur mainly in churches in the metropolitan area, the number of confirmed cases is increasing daily.

Regarding two churches in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, infections have been rapidly spreading at a daycare center where a confirmed case worked, and additional confirmed cases have been reported among contacts residing in other regions.

In addition, sporadic infections through missionary meetings, family gatherings, and others are occurring in various places.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced on the 8th at 12 noon that the number of confirmed cases related to 'Banseok Church' located in Pung-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, increased by 8, bringing the total to 16.

Among them, 10 are church members including the first patient (index patient), 2 are family members or acquaintances, and 4 are related to workplaces.

In particular, additional transmission has occurred to the 'Siril Supsokai Daycare Center' through confirmed cases from this church. Currently, 4 people including the daycare center director, childcare teachers, and 2 children have tested positive.

Kwon Jun-wook, deputy director of the CDCH, explained, "It was confirmed that meals were shared among church members after worship," adding, "Transmission occurred through a daycare center worker among the church members, and it was confirmed that mask-wearing inside the daycare center was insufficient."

At another church, 'Gippeum 153 Church,' located in Jugyo-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang City, the number of confirmed cases increased by 3, totaling 18. Among them, 8 are church members, 1 is a family member or acquaintance, and 9 are workplace-related confirmed cases.

Deputy Director Kwon stated, "During the epidemiological investigation, additional patients related to a multi-level marketing company called 'Elgol In Bio' located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, were identified." Previously, the CDCH had revealed that the pastor of the church was affiliated with a business in Gangnam.

Small-scale sporadic infections are also being confirmed continuously in Seoul.

Since one confirmed case involved in missionary activities was reported in Eunpyeong-gu on the 4th, one of his family members was infected, and subsequently, two residents of Dongjak-gu who attended the same missionary meeting also tested positive, bringing the total confirmed cases to 4.

In Seongdong-gu, after one confirmed case was reported on the 5th of this month, family members and acquaintances, including couples, were sequentially infected, resulting in a total of 4 confirmed cases. The health authorities are classifying and investigating this case as the 'Seongdong-gu family gathering.'

Along with domestic community transmissions, the number of imported confirmed cases is steadily increasing.

As of midnight on this day, there were a total of 13 imported confirmed cases, with 5 identified during quarantine and the remaining 8 testing positive while under self-quarantine in the community after entry.

Confirmed cases were also found during ship quarantine at Pyeongtaek Port.

According to the CDCH, as a result of boarding quarantine and full crew testing of a Philippine-flagged cargo ship docked at the western pier of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port in Dangjin City, Chungnam Province, 2 crew members tested positive. The health authorities issued orders for ship disinfection and movement restrictions.

Meanwhile, health authorities are accelerating public-private cooperation to respond to COVID-19.

The Korea National Institute of Health announced that it will hold the 7th meeting of the Treatment and Vaccine Expert Committee and the 8th meeting of the Quarantine Supplies and Equipment Expert Committee under the Government-Wide Joint COVID-19 Response Task Force on the 10th.

The meetings will include direct participation from major developers of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines to share current progress.

The CDCH stated that it has administered 'Remdesivir,' a specially imported COVID-19 treatment drug, to 113 severe and critical patients in 34 hospitals so far.