Kwon Deok-cheol "Great Concern Over Large-Scale COVID-19 Cases at Daejeon International Mission School... Emergency Field Response Team Dispatched"

Health and Welfare Minister Kwon Deok-cheol is attending the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting for COVID-19 Response' held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government has decided to immediately dispatch an emergency on-site response team to an international missionary school in Daejeon where a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred, and to actively work to prevent further spread.

Kwon Deok-cheol, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Sejong Complex on the morning of the 25th, "A large-scale outbreak has occurred at an international missionary school in Daejeon, which is a very concerning situation," adding, "Among the 158 students and teachers living at the facility, 127 have tested positive so far, resulting in a positivity rate exceeding 80%."

The missionary school where the cluster infection occurred is an unlicensed dormitory-type educational facility operated by the IM (International Mission) Mission. Among the total 158 students and teachers, some are from regions outside Daejeon, and as of the 24th, a total of 127 confirmed cases have been reported from Daejeon (125), Suncheon (1), and Pohang (1).

Deputy Head Kwon stated, "This is a typical example of rapid spread in a 3-dense environment, with up to 20 people living in one room," and emphasized, "Rapid initial response is crucial to prevent further spread."

He added, "We will immediately dispatch the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters emergency on-site response team to take all necessary measures to prevent further spread, including the prompt allocation of hospital beds for confirmed cases, isolation of close contacts, and epidemiological investigations of visitors from other regions," and requested, "Daejeon City should thoroughly investigate whether there were any violations of quarantine rules until the cluster infection spread at the facility and take action according to the law."

He also urged related ministries and local governments to urgently inspect all dormitory-type religious education facilities such as religious schools, prayer centers, and training centers to prevent recurrence of similar cluster infections.

Deputy Head Kwon expressed concern, saying, "During the past week (18th?24th), the average daily number of domestic confirmed cases was 365, which is about 130 fewer than the previous week’s 499," but added, "more than 300 new confirmed cases continue to occur daily, and cluster outbreaks are ongoing at religious facilities such as the Daejeon international missionary school and churches, as well as multi-use facilities like bathhouses."

He continued, "Social distancing measures extended for two weeks will remain in effect until the 31st of this month," and said, "This week, including the Lunar New Year holiday period, we will focus on discussing and deciding on adjustments to social distancing measures to be applied from February."