"Seoul COVID-19 Cases Decrease, but Over 100 Visitors to BTJ Yeolbang Center Refuse Testing"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Although the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Seoul is generally showing a downward trend, cluster infection cases centered around religious facilities and nursing homes continue to occur, keeping quarantine authorities on high alert.

According to Seoul City, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Seoul on the 14th was 127, marking the lowest number in 52 days since November 23 last year, when there were 133 cases. Until the 6th (287 cases), the daily new confirmed cases in Seoul were close to 300, but then decreased to 191 on the 7th, 188 on the 8th, 187 on the 9th, and 141 on the 10th. On the 11th, the number slightly increased to 167, but then decreased again for three consecutive days to 152 on the 12th, 134 on the 13th, and 127 on the 14th.

However, the number of new confirmed cases counted from midnight to 6 p.m. on the 15th has already reached 127, so the daily number of confirmed cases is expected to rise again. During these 18 hours, 4 additional confirmed cases (total 19) were reported at a nursing facility in Seongdong-gu, and one new confirmed case each was added related to a nursing facility in Guro-gu (total 225), nursing facility I in Yangcheon-gu (total 43), Sangju BTJ Yeolbang Center (total 13), nursing facility in Gangdong-gu (total 13), and a religious facility in Seodaemun-gu (total 15).

The city is urging medical institutions, nursing hospitals/facilities, and religious facilities, where many confirmed cases have occurred, to strictly adhere to quarantine rules. However, infections continue to spread among family members and acquaintances who have come into contact with confirmed cases, mainly centered around these facilities.

In particular, more than 100 people who visited the BTJ Yeolbang Center in Sangju, Gyeongbuk, where a recent COVID-19 cluster infection occurred, are refusing to undergo testing. Seoul City issued an enforcement order for 383 people to get tested by the 15th, but as of the morning of the 15th, 138 people, or 36%, had still not been tested. Among those subject to testing, 43 claim they never visited the Yeolbang Center and refuse testing, and 61 could not be contacted due to unreachable phone numbers or disconnections, causing difficulties for quarantine authorities.

The BTJ Yeolbang Center is a facility operated by the Protestant missionary group 'InterCP'. When the government ordered the facility to close due to violations of quarantine rules, the group filed an administrative lawsuit against Sangju City, displaying a defiant attitude. As of 6 p.m. on the 15th, there are 13 confirmed cases related to this center in Seoul alone, and 729 nationwide.

Park Yu-mi, Seoul City's quarantine controller, said, "Regarding the BTJ Yeolbang Center, we are cooperating with autonomous districts and the police to visit the addresses of those who have not been tested to encourage testing and check for absences," adding, "If testing is refused without a valid reason, we will take legal action, and if a cluster infection occurs due to failure to undergo testing, we will also seek compensation."

Meanwhile, the government will announce on the 16th whether to extend the current 'social distancing' measures (Level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas) and the ban on private gatherings of five or more people, which are in effect until the 17th. On the same day, a 'special quarantine plan' will also be announced to minimize hometown or relative visits, travel, and various gatherings in preparation for the Lunar New Year holiday starting on the 11th of next month.