24 Ministry of Health Employees Confirmed with COVID-19... Including 2 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Staff (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] A large number of COVID-19 cases have occurred within the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at a back briefing on the 24th, "COVID-19 cases have occurred within the Ministry of Health and Welfare," adding, "As of 10 a.m. today, about 24 people have tested positive, and those confirmed cases are being assigned to home treatment, among other measures."

Son said, "As an emergency measure, the Ministry is assigning more than 30% of all employees to work from home, and those who can work remotely will switch to a telecommuting system," adding, "We plan to adjust work by postponing or minimizing face-to-face meetings and events."

He also explained, "There have been some reports that Ministry personnel who returned from a business trip to the Middle East were the source of infection, but they have not come to work since returning, so that is unlikely to be the route of transmission," adding, "However, since the epidemiological investigation has just begun, it is necessary to identify the exact route of infection."

He continued, "Among the 24 confirmed cases, two are personnel from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters," and added, "All 24 are Ministry employees, and we are not currently investigating infection status among their families."