Seoul Reports 51 New COVID-19 Cases Yesterday... Total 21 Linked to Gangnam-gu K Health Industry

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The daily number of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Seoul area has once again exceeded 50.

As of midnight on the 16th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 51 from the previous day, bringing the total cumulative confirmed cases to 4,794. The daily number of confirmed cases in Seoul dropped below 100 earlier this month, and for four consecutive days since the 11th, the daily cases remained below 50, but on the 15th, the number slightly increased again.

The infection routes of the new confirmed cases on this day were identified as follows: 7 cases at K Health Industry in Gangnam-gu, 3 cases at Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, 1 case at Uri Church in Songpa-gu, 1 case from a gathering of acquaintances in Seodaemun-gu, and 1 case from a gathering of acquaintances in Yeongdeungpo.

K Health Industry, known as a mask distribution and export company, had its first confirmed case on the 9th when one employee tested positive. By the 14th, 13 people had been confirmed positive, and on the 15th, 7 additional cases were confirmed, bringing the total related confirmed cases to 21. At Severance Hospital, after 3 staff members were first confirmed positive on the 9th, 28 cases were confirmed by the 14th, and 3 more were added on the 15th, making a total of 32 related confirmed cases. Among these, 27 are confirmed cases in Seoul.

Among the new confirmed cases on this day, 20 had contact with confirmed cases from other cities or provinces, 2 had overseas contact, and the infection routes of the remaining 16 are under investigation.

So far, out of the total confirmed cases in Seoul, 3,694 have been declared recovered and discharged, while 1,058 are currently in isolation.