Ten People Suddenly Infected at Busan Music Academy... 59.5% Received First Vaccine Dose, 14.8% Second Dose

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] As a large number of confirmed COVID-19 cases related to a music academy have emerged in Busan, health authorities are on high alert.

On the morning of the 7th, Busan City announced that 15 people tested positive, including 11 in Geumjeong-gu and one each in Yeongdo-gu, Dongnae-gu, Nam-gu, and Haeundae-gu.

Among the new confirmed cases that day, 10 occurred at a music academy in Geumjeong-gu.

Following the previous day’s confirmation of one staff member and one student, a full investigation of about 160 staff and students at the academy found 10 additional infections: one staff member, eight students, and one family contact. This brings the total number of confirmed cases related to the music academy to 12.

The academy, divided into small practice rooms for piano lessons, reportedly had poor ventilation, with some practice rooms lacking windows, according to Busan City.

Health authorities are conducting epidemiological investigations, including contact tracing, at elementary schools in Geumjeong-gu and Yeonje-gu where the infected students are enrolled.

Earlier, at a restaurant in Buk-gu where one employee and two colleagues tested positive on the 2nd, diagnostic tests of 493 visitors identified three additional visitors and one contact who tested positive.

One additional family contact related to a group infection of eight people who went on a day trip to Gyeongnam with acquaintances on the 29th of last month also tested positive, increasing the total related confirmed cases to nine.

Busan City confirmed that the participants in this acquaintance trip violated private gathering rules limiting groups to five or fewer and said the relevant local government is proceeding with administrative measures such as fines.

Additionally, one contact of a confirmed case in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, tested positive. As a result, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Busan has risen to 5,823.

Meanwhile, on the previous day, 308 people received their first dose of the vaccine, and eight completed their second dose. The first-dose vaccination rate is 59.5%, and the second-dose rate is 14.8%.

Eighteen people reported adverse reactions to the vaccine, including one person who experienced symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Starting today, AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine administration begins for those aged 60 to 64. Vaccinations will be conducted at 1,087 designated medical institutions.