80 New COVID-19 Cases Today... Seoul City Urges Compliance with Religious Facility Quarantine Rules

On the 12th, 32 cases → On the 15th, 80 cases + α... Rapid increase in new confirmed cases centered around churches

On the afternoon of the 14th, officials are conducting 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. (Source=Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection in Seoul is rapidly increasing. On this day alone, 80 additional positive cases were confirmed. As the virus is spreading rapidly, especially centered around churches, there is a possibility that the daily number of new confirmed cases could reach triple digits.

On the 15th, Seoul City held a press briefing and announced that as of 6 p.m. on that day, the number of new daily COVID-19 cases was 80. This number exceeds the 74 cases confirmed in the previous 24 hours within just 18 hours. There are concerns that if additional testing is conducted, the daily number of new confirmed cases could reach triple digits.

With this, the cumulative number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Seoul has reached 1,921. Recently, the number of new confirmed cases has been rapidly increasing. The numbers rose quickly from 23 on the 12th, to 32 on the 13th, and 74 on the 14th. In particular, most infections are occurring centered around churches. On this day, 54 confirmed cases were related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of 2 p.m. on this day, the nationwide cumulative confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church were 134.

Accordingly, Seoul City has urged all sectors to strictly adhere to quarantine rules. Acting Mayor of Seoul, Seojeonghyeop, stated, "As the COVID-19 infection situation is becoming severe again, we ask citizens to refrain from unnecessary gatherings, outings, travel, and use of multi-use facilities," and emphasized, "Religious facilities must strictly comply with the quarantine order prohibiting all meetings other than regular worship services for two weeks."

Meanwhile, Seoul City has confirmed the addresses and contacted 2,807 out of a total of 4,053 Sarang Jeil Church members and visitors who were ordered to undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing, and is currently verifying the remaining addresses. Among them, about 800 people have been sampled and are undergoing testing.