CEO Course Participants Meeting Sparks Widespread Infection... Total 42 Cases (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] COVID-19 cases continue to emerge linked to a gathering of students from an executive MBA program at a private university in Seoul. In addition to attendees and their family members and colleagues, a golf course employee has also tested positive.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 28th, as of 12 noon, 11 additional confirmed cases related to the executive MBA student gathering held on the 17th at a golf course in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, have been reported, bringing the total to 42.

The 11 newly confirmed cases include 10 family members and acquaintances, and 1 restaurant employee at the golf course. Among the 42 confirmed cases, 16 are attendees of the gathering, 25 are family members and acquaintances, and 1 is a golf course employee. By region, there are 19 in Seoul, 18 in Gyeonggi, 3 in Incheon, 1 in Gyeongnam, and 1 in Daejeon.

The CDCH estimates that transmission likely occurred during a meal held at an external restaurant after the golf round. In fact, all 20 attendees of the gathering participated in the meal together.

It has been identified that another gathering took place two days after this meeting, raising the possibility of additional confirmed cases. The CDCH explained, "Additional transmission has been confirmed through workplace gatherings, work-related meetings, and meal gatherings," adding, "Especially within workplaces, additional transmission occurred on a significant scale through in-house meetings and briefings."

Among the recently confirmed cases, 2 of 5 executives from Woori Bank and 1 executive from KB Kookmin Bank also attended this gathering. The remaining 3 Woori Bank executives were classified as contacts of attendees, underwent diagnostic testing, and were confirmed positive. The CDCH stated, "The workplace where additional transmission occurred is indeed a bank."