559 Confirmed Cases... Nationwide Spread Concerns from IM

109 Confirmed Cases at Gwangju TCS International School
Total Patients Up by 205 from Previous Day
One in Four Cases Due to 'Family Transmission'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the cluster infection originating from IM Missionary Society spreads, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has surged back to the 500s within ten days. Recently, confirmed cases had maintained around 300 to 400, showing a gradual decline in the 'third wave,' but cluster infections related to religious facilities have spread nationwide, leading to another surge in confirmed cases.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 27th, as of midnight, the number of new confirmed cases was 559, an increase of 205 from the previous day. This sharp increase is due to a large-scale cluster infection at the Gwangju TCS International School operated by IM Missionary Society.

List of 22 Facilities Related to IM Missionary Society Secured... More Confirmed Cases Expected

On the previous day, 109 confirmed cases occurred at the unauthorized educational facility, Gwangju TCS International School alone. Earlier, 171 confirmed cases were identified related to Daejeon IEM International School, resulting in about 300 confirmed cases from just these two locations. Some confirmed cases from Daejeon IEM International School have moved to various regions nationwide, including Hongcheon in Gangwon Province and Gwangju, spreading into community infections.

The quarantine authorities are currently conducting comprehensive testing at more than 20 related facilities nationwide, so the number of confirmed cases is expected to increase further. In particular, some confirmed cases have a history of visiting restaurants and hair salons during the symptomatic period, causing the authorities to be more vigilant. The quarantine authorities have secured a list of 22 facilities related to IM Missionary Society and are sharing this information with local governments while conducting related tests.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the same day that all efforts must be made to contain the spread of cluster infections originating from IM Missionary Society. Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "Since related facilities are located in various places nationwide, no other region can feel safe," adding, "The key is speed. The quarantine authorities and local governments must identify all related facilities without omission and make every effort to block further spread."

The quarantine authorities believe that the infection spread mainly because they lived and ate together in confined spaces while engaging in activities that produce many droplets, such as Bible meetings, singing hymns, and loud group prayers. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, requested, "Since administrative orders have been requested to be issued by local governments to prevent lodging and meals at blind spots of quarantine such as prayer houses or training centers, religious people themselves should comply with quarantine rules."

24% of Confirmed Cases During the Third Wave Were Infections Within Families

Recently, the significant spread of infections among family members has also become a risk factor.

According to an analysis of 15,111 confirmed domestic cases during the third wave period (November 20 to December 16, 2020) by the quarantine authorities, 3,654 people (24.2%) were infected through preceding confirmed cases within their families. This means that one in four transmissions occurred within families.

One confirmed case transmitted the virus to 1.57 family members, mainly spreading from socially active people in their 40s and 50s to their spouses, children, and parents. It is interpreted that family transmission increased as indoor activities rose during winter and external gatherings were prohibited, leading to family-based living.

Kwon Jun-wook, the second deputy head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, urged, "Transmission is easier among family members who live together in daily life," and advised, "If you have respiratory symptoms, you should get tested immediately." Also, until test results come out, one should live in a separate space. To prevent transmission within families, it is important to ventilate more than three times a day and disinfect frequently touched places such as tables, door handles, keyboards, and mice at least once a day.

Professor Lee Jae-gap of Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital said, "In a situation where confirmed cases remain around 300, if a large-scale cluster infection such as in religious facilities occurs, the number of confirmed cases can rise to the 1,000s at any time," adding, "Since community infections have occurred due to the spread from the missionary society, we need to tighten quarantine measures further."