'105 Confirmed Cases in Dongducheon Over Two Days'... Health Authorities Face Challenges in 'Epidemiological Investigation'

Proper Identification of Registered Foreigners Undergoing Inspection Not Being Conducted

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] In Dongducheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, 105 COVID-19 confirmed cases have been reported over two days since the 1st.

Although health authorities have launched an epidemiological investigation, the number of foreigners tested and the tracking of confirmed patients' movements have not been properly conducted, raising concerns about community spread.

According to Dongducheon-si on the 3rd, a total of 105 confirmed cases were recorded over the two days from the 1st to the 2nd through tests conducted at local screening clinics, temporary screening clinics, and mobile specimen collection teams. Among them, 96 were foreigners and 9 were Korean nationals.

The city is currently conducting mass testing targeting 3,966 registered foreigners in the area.

Most of the foreign confirmed cases are asymptomatic. Their residences are in Dongducheon, but their main living areas such as workplaces have been identified as Yangju, Pocheon, Namyangju, Incheon, and other locations.

The city recommends COVID-19 testing through foreigner-related communities, but it is reported that the exact number of confirmed patients' movements and how many registered foreigners in the city have been tested are still not accurately known.

A city official stated, "Aside from the cluster of confirmed cases centered on foreigners, nothing special has been identified yet."

With concerns about community spread, health authorities are focusing on epidemiological investigations such as tracking the movements of confirmed patients.

Health authorities have mobilized 10 city hall staff members who can speak English to conduct basic epidemiological investigations, and 15 epidemiologists from the central and Gyeonggi Province levels are expected to be deployed.

Meanwhile, the city, in consultation with the education office, has switched classes in kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools in the area to remote learning until today.

The city is considering temporarily extending the operating hours of the temporary screening clinic, which currently runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.