Daegu COVID-19 Cases Surpass 100 for First Time in 16 Months... Concerns Rise Over Last Year's Church-Originated Nightmare Again

On the 4th, a health center staff member at Gimhae City Health Center in Gyeongnam is wearing an ice vest and providing test guidance. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases in Daegu has surpassed 100 in a single day.

This is the highest number recorded since the mass infection outbreak from the Shincheonji Church last March, reviving concerns at a 'panic' level.

According to Daegu city health authorities on the 4th, as of 4 p.m. that day, there were 113 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Among them, 48 are related to religious facilities in Dong-gu, Suseong-gu, and Dalseo-gu, 14 from sports facilities in Suseong-gu, 15 contacts of confirmed cases, 3 from markets in Jung-gu, 2 from a cosmetics store in Suseong-gu, 1 from a church in Seo-gu, 1 from a gathering of acquaintances at a restaurant in Dalseo-gu, and 24 are cases with unknown infection routes.

The number of confirmed cases is increasing centered around a Taekwondo academy in Suseong-gu. Symptoms appeared after a family of church workers near the academy, including three Taekwondo trainees, returned from a vacation in Jeju Island. Confirmed cases are also occurring consecutively among about 700 church members.

Daegu city quarantine authorities have declared an emergency due to the rapid increase in confirmed cases and are discussing various quarantine measures, including targeted quarantine.

A quarantine official said, "It is expected that more confirmed cases will occur in Daegu over the next few days," and added, "We plan to promptly announce targeted quarantine measures through a meeting of relevant departments."