Busan COVID-19 Case Stayed in Suncheon for Four Days... 171 Contacts Identified (Update)

On the morning of the 24th of last month, quarantine officials were disinfecting at Suncheon Station in Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do. In Suncheon, infections are spreading, including a public health center employee testing positive for the novel coronavirus. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] A man in his 60s who visited a funeral hall in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, was diagnosed with COVID-19 in Busan, prompting health authorities to take measures to prevent the spread of the infection.

According to Suncheon City on the 21st, this man had contact with Busan COVID-19 patient number 362 at a restaurant in Busan on the 6th. However, he was notified by the Buk-gu Public Health Center in Busan as a person subject to self-quarantine on the 17th, 11 days after the contact date.

Despite receiving the self-quarantine notification, the man visited the funeral hall in Suncheon and was confirmed to have stayed there for four days.

Afterwards, the man traveled by private car with relatives to his home in Busan, and on the 20th, a specimen was collected at the Buk-gu Public Health Center, where he was confirmed positive for COVID-19.

Health authorities reported this fact to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, checked the closed-circuit television (CCTV) of the funeral hall, identified 171 people who visited the funeral hall, and are conducting diagnostic tests and epidemiological investigations. According to the city, as of 2 p.m. on the 21st, 60 contacts tested negative.

Additionally, using disaster alert messages, authorities are identifying users of locations along the man’s movement path, including the funeral hall, bus terminal, and memorial park.

Meanwhile, Jeollanam-do Province plans to consult with Busan City and file a police complaint against the man who violated quarantine guidelines despite being notified of self-quarantine, and will claim compensation if necessary.