Chain Infection Across Daily Spaces in Busan, 45 Additional Cases Confirmed... Uncontrolled Spread in Entertainment Bars, Churches, Medical Facilities, and Bathhouses

As the government banned gatherings at entertainment facilities in areas under social distancing level 2, including the Seoul metropolitan area and Busan, citizens are seen passing through the Hongdae club district in Seoul on the 11th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] With 45 new confirmed cases in Busan in one day, COVID-19 is spreading throughout the city’s everyday spaces without any ‘braking mechanism’.

The confirmed cases were found to have been infected not only through close contact among family members or coworkers but also across various everyday spaces.

According to Busan City on the 11th, 3 people tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday afternoon, and 42 people tested positive this morning. The cumulative number of confirmed cases in the Busan area has increased to 4,382.

By region, Busanjin-gu and Saha-gu each had the highest number with 12 cases, followed by Nam-gu with 4, Seo-gu with 3, Yeongdo-gu with 3, Geumjeong-gu with 3, Yeonje-gu with 2, Sasang-gu with 2, Buk-gu with 1, Haeundae-gu with 1, and Suyeong-gu with 1. One case was an overseas entrant.

Busan City health authorities stated, “Among the confirmed cases, multi-use facilities where infections occurred beyond close contact among family or coworkers include entertainment bars, churches, medical institutions, study rooms, bathhouses, restaurants, real estate offices, and karaoke rooms.”

They also explained, “It has been confirmed that contact infections are occurring throughout everyday spaces.”

Among 82 contacts of two university students confirmed yesterday, 70 were tested, resulting in 3 additional confirmed cases this morning.

Health authorities have gone on high alert, expanding investigations as additional confirmed cases have occurred.

Among the additional confirmed cases today, 4 are related to a business in Sasang-gu where a cluster infection occurred.

Although 41 contacts were investigated yesterday, epidemiological investigations are being conducted again due to the additional confirmed cases today. So far, 11 employees of the business have tested positive.

In Yeonje-gu, one additional confirmed case was reported among family contacts at a welfare center. The cumulative confirmed cases total 61, including 9 workers, 26 users, and 26 contacts.

One person who visited a bathhouse in Seo-gu also tested positive, increasing the total to 5.

Additionally, 9 people were identified as confirmed cases related to entertainment establishments: 1 user, 3 workers, and 5 contacts, totaling 9. The cumulative confirmed cases related to entertainment establishments have increased to 372, including 83 users, 69 workers, and 220 contacts.