13 Confirmed Cases Including Children at Gangseo-gu Daycare... Teacher Attended Bible Study Meeting

A family of a daycare teacher in Seoul tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and on the 23rd, children from the daycare underwent preliminary testing at the Dongjak-gu Public Health Center screening clinic in Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] A teacher working at a daycare center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, attended a Bible study meeting held in Dongdaemun-gu, after which a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred consecutively at the daycare center and the Bible study meeting.

Park Yumi, Seoul's Quarantine Control Officer (Director of the Citizen Health Bureau), stated in a briefing on the 24th, "Following the first confirmed case of a daycare center teacher in Gangseo-gu on the 22nd, an additional 12 cases were confirmed by the 23rd, including 9 in Seoul and 3 in other cities and provinces, bringing the total number of related confirmed cases to 13." Among the confirmed cases, 3 are daycare center staff, 2 are children enrolled at the daycare, and 3 are family members.

The initial confirmed daycare teacher is understood to have attended a Bible study meeting held in Dongdaemun-gu on the 13th of this month. Among the 3 attendees of the Bible study meeting at that time, 2 additional confirmed cases occurred, and 3 more were confirmed among visitors to the Bible study meeting location.

The quarantine authorities explained that 31 people who worked at the daycare center or had contact with them were tested, resulting in 12 positive and 19 negative cases excluding the initial confirmed case, with 2 others still undergoing testing.

It was found that the daycare center shared common areas such as the living room and restrooms, and although the teacher wore a mask, the children’s mask-wearing was insufficient according to the investigation.

The quarantine authorities temporarily closed the daycare center and immediately conducted emergency disinfection, and are carrying out epidemiological investigations and contact tracing.

Control Officer Park repeatedly requested, "All events at religious facilities should be conducted online, and participants should refrain from various small gatherings, events, and group meals."