[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases related to the BTJ Yeolbang Center in Sangju-si, Gyeongbuk, where a cluster infection occurred, has increased to 729. More than 1,100 people have still not undergone diagnostic testing.
According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 15th, as of 6 p.m. the previous day, the total number of confirmed cases related to the BTJ Yeolbang Center was 729. This is an increase of 16 from 713 as of midnight the same day. Among visitors to the center, 227 were confirmed cases. Two people were removed from the count after reclassification of relationships based on the health authorities' investigation, down from 229 the previous day. Additionally, some of the confirmed cases caused secondary transmission to 502 people across 9 cities and provinces, an increase of 18 from the previous day.
The health authorities estimate that about 3,000 people have visited the center since November last year. Among them, 1,138 have not been tested. Although about 200 people underwent testing from the previous day's 1,330, there are still approximately 1,100 untested individuals.
The impact of cluster infections related to other religious facilities continues. Confirmed cases related to a church in Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province increased by 30, bringing the total to 207. In Jinju-si, Gyeongnam Province, five confirmed cases were identified during contact tracing related to the International Prayer Center, raising the total to 85.
Additionally, confirmed cases related to the Seoul Eastern Detention Center increased by 4, bringing the cumulative total to 1,218. Among the four newly confirmed cases, one was identified positive while under self-quarantine after release on the 30th of last month, and the other three tested positive after being transferred to the Southern Prison.
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