38 COVID-19 Cases Linked to Capital Region Mountain Hiking Cafe
8 Family Members Confirmed in Hongseong, Chungnam
Confirmed Cases Infected at Hiking Cafe Suspected to Spread to Relatives
Concerns Over 'Mountain Corona' Nth Wave Infection Spread
Health Authorities Urge Avoiding Social Contact: "Infection Possible Even Outdoors with Close Contact"
Mountaineers are climbing a mountain. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to a metropolitan area mountain hiking club cafe increased by 3 to a total of 38, public criticism toward people who hike as a hobby is growing. There are criticisms questioning why people insist on hiking for their hobby during the COVID-19 spread phase. In Hongseong, Chungnam, an entire family was confirmed positive. It is presumed that the confirmed cases related to the mountain hiking club transmitted the virus, raising concerns about 'n-th generation infections.' The quarantine authorities are urging people to refrain from outdoor activities as there is a risk of COVID-19 infection even outdoors.
According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) as of 12 noon on the 13th, the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases related to the metropolitan area mountain hiking club cafe is 38. Since the first confirmed case on the 3rd, confirmed cases have continuously emerged in Seoul, Anyang and Gwangmyeong in Gyeonggi Province, and Hongseong in Chungnam.
The cafe is known to have operated by announcing hiking locations online and recruiting participants. The quarantine authorities believe that infections occurred as they held hiking and after-party gatherings on August 29 and 30, and September 1, when the 'Social Distancing Level 2' guidelines were in effect.
As a result, public criticism toward them is strong. It is pointed out that they ultimately caused harm to others by getting confirmed positive for COVID-19 while hiking for their hobby.
Mr. Kim, a company employee in his 40s, said, "We should reduce outdoor activities during the COVID-19 situation, but getting confirmed positive due to personal hobby activities seems inappropriate." He added, "I also have hobbies like 'bicycling,' but I stopped those activities because of COVID-19."
Mr. Lee, a worker in his 30s, said, "Isn't mountain hiking a place where unspecified many people gather?" He expressed frustration, saying, "Because of this, investigations can be difficult. COVID-19 is a problem, and investigations are hard too. I don't understand why people force themselves to do hobby activities." He also expressed exasperation, saying, "What's the point of strengthening social distancing?"
On April 26th, Baegundae Peak of Bukhansan Mountain was crowded with hikers. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.
COVID-19 confirmed cases related to the mountain hiking club online cafe have led to 'n-th generation transmission.'
On the 9th, in Hongseong, Chungnam, a family of eight was confirmed positive all at once the previous day. The quarantine authorities presume that the confirmed case infected at the mountain hiking club cafe transmitted the virus to relatives.
According to the CDCH, members of the mountain hiking club cafe held three after-party style meal gatherings on August 29 and 30, and September 1, each attended by different numbers of participants.
Gwak Jin, head of the patient management team at the CDCH, said, "Yesterday (the 9th), we conducted tests and investigations on 32 attendees, but we need to check whether there were additional people subject to testing as additional confirmed cases emerged today (the 10th)." He added, "We also need to verify information related to meal situations (such as dining after 9 p.m.)."
Summarizing the COVID-19 confirmed cases related to mountain activities, although hiking is outdoors, heavy breathing facilitates droplet transmission, and combined with eating and talking indoors without masks, infection can occur.
The quarantine authorities have urged refraining from outdoor activities. Park Neung-hoo, first deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), said at a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 10th, "Even in outdoor spaces, if close contact conditions are created, there is a risk of infection. This is especially true during times when many cases have unknown infection routes." He added, "Infections have actually occurred at campsites, golf meetings, and mountain hiking clubs," urging people to refrain from outdoor activities.
Citizens are taking a break at an outdoor cafe in Seoul city, where social distancing level 2.5 is being enforced due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
Meanwhile, the government decided to ease the strengthened Social Distancing Level 2.5 measures in the metropolitan area to Level 2 and extend the period for two more weeks starting from midnight on the 14th. Accordingly, franchise cafes, PC rooms, academies, study cafes, and indoor sports facilities will resume normal operations.
However, mandatory in-store distancing conditions must be met, and quarantine rules must be strictly followed. Preemptive quarantine management will be strengthened in medical institutions and nursing hospitals/facilities where many high-risk groups with high fatality rates are concentrated.
Also, wearing masks, keeping visitor logs, and maintaining a 2-meter (minimum 1 meter) distance between tables are mandatory. If users only use takeout or delivery and do not consume food inside the store, visitor logs do not need to be kept.
Deputy Head Park said regarding the easing of social distancing, "The quarantine authorities have deliberated a lot and gathered opinions from various sectors." He added, "What we kept foremost in mind was that the sacrifices of self-employed people and the common people are too great under the current distancing measures."
He continued, "The advisory committee on daily quarantine also mostly agreed that 'excessive sacrifices should be eased, and precise quarantine should focus on facilities with increased risk.' While overall easing to Level 2, we have strengthened quarantine measures more strictly for some facilities and areas," he explained.
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