Bang Daebon "Over 13% of Patients Are Undiagnosed... COVID-19 May Spread Nationwide" (Update)

On the afternoon of the 14th, officials were leaving after completing disinfection work at the entrance of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where a cluster outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred. On the same day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government ordered the closure of the Sarang Jeil Church facility in Seongbuk-gu.
/Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are occurring one after another in the Seoul metropolitan area. In this regard, quarantine authorities expressed concern that if quarantine rules related to the spread of COVID-19 cluster outbreaks are not properly followed, the region could face a 'metropolitan area large-scale outbreak' situation.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), said at a regular briefing held on the 14th at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, "The Seoul metropolitan area is currently in a serious situation where a large-scale COVID-19 cluster outbreak can continue."

Head Jung explained, "The number of confirmed cases in Seoul and Gyeonggi is rapidly increasing to the point of doubling in a single day, and the proportion of cases with unknown transmission routes (the so-called 'dark figure' cases) is also exceeding 13%."

Previously, the daily number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases recorded in the 50s for two consecutive days on the 12th and 13th, and on this day, it exceeded 100. The 85 new confirmed cases on this day is the highest number since March 31 (88 cases).

Referring to this situation, Head Jung diagnosed, "We are at a crossroads to decide whether COVID-19 can be controlled at a level manageable by the quarantine network and medical system in mid-August, or whether it will exceed the control range and require raising social distancing to level 2."

He added, "The current spread of the outbreak in the metropolitan area is a major warning sign that awareness of COVID-19 is dulling and the intensity of participation in social distancing is decreasing," emphasizing compliance with quarantine rules.

He also urged people to refrain from attending religious services and gatherings during the holiday period from Liberation Day to the 17th. Furthermore, he stressed minimizing meals and meetings among family and acquaintances due to infection risks, and if unavoidable, to wear masks.

Head Jung expressed concern, saying, "We need to overcome this critical moment well to determine the scale of the outbreak. It may vary depending on the efforts made over the weekend."