All Inmates Test Negative in First COVID-19 Mass Screening at Dongbu Detention Center

Seongpa-gu Dongbu Detention Center, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] At Seoul Eastern Detention Center (hereinafter referred to as Dongbu Detention Center), where a mass infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred, all tested individuals were confirmed negative after the 11th full-scale inspection.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Justice announced that in the 11th full inspection conducted the previous day at Dongbu Detention Center, about 500 inmates and 500 staff members all tested negative.

At Dongbu Detention Center, after a detention center staff member was first confirmed positive for COVID-19 on November 28 last year, infected by a family member, the number of confirmed cases rapidly increased, exceeding 1,000 cases.

So far, the cumulative number of confirmed cases (including inmates, staff, family, and acquaintances) has risen to 1,224. However, since the 8th full inspection, the number of new confirmed cases has steadily decreased to single digits.

Although no new confirmed cases were found in this full inspection, the situation cannot yet be considered safe, as the incubation period may not be detected by diagnostic tests.

Meanwhile, as of 8 a.m. on the same day, the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in correctional facilities nationwide was 1,261, with no change from the previous day’s count.