4 More Suspected Wuhan Pneumonia Cases in Korea... "Possibility of Community Exposure Present"

3 out of 4 are confirmed patient contacts

Officials from the Facilities and Environment Team of Incheon International Airport Corporation are conducting disinfection work at the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport on the 21st to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, known as "Wuhan pneumonia." Following confirmed cases in the country, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the infectious disease alert level from "Interest" to "Caution" and activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters and local government task forces to strengthen community surveillance and response.
Yeongjongdo ? Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced on the 22nd that four additional suspected cases of the novel coronavirus infection from China, known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' have been identified. This comes just two days after the first confirmed case was discovered in the country on the 20th.

The KCDC stated that four more symptomatic individuals under investigation for Wuhan pneumonia have been identified. These symptomatic individuals under investigation are people who have visited Wuhan City, China, and within 14 days showed respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough.

Among the four suspected cases, three had contact with confirmed patients and developed symptoms while under surveillance monitoring. The remaining one was classified as a suspected case based on self-reporting. All of them have the potential for community exposure. A KCDC official said, "Since these cases were not reported at airport quarantine stations, it can be assumed that all of them have been exposed to the community."

Domestic health authorities are currently conducting pan-coronavirus tests to determine whether these four individuals are infected with Wuhan pneumonia. The test results are expected to be available as early as today.

As of 9 a.m. today, the total number of symptomatic individuals under investigation is 16. Among them, one person is a confirmed patient who is isolated and receiving treatment at a nationally designated inpatient treatment facility. Of the remaining 15, excluding the four newly identified cases, 11 have tested negative and have been released from isolation. Health centers and other authorities have reported 34 individuals under active monitoring, who are being directly checked for symptoms via telephone, with one person released from monitoring.

A KCDC official stated, "Due to the increase in arrivals from China during the Chinese New Year period, the risk of community outbreaks is expected to rise," and added, "We will make every effort to respond, focusing on the community response system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.