Third Patient's Contradictory Statement... 21 More Contacts Identified in Gangnam (Comprehensive)

"Symptoms Start from Lunch, Not Dinner"
Epidemiological Investigation Criteria Moved 6 Hours Earlier

Additional Contacts at 2 Gangnam Restaurants
Total Confirmed Patient Contacts: 387

On the 29th, amid growing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), Chinese tourists are lining up to buy masks at a pharmacy on Myeongdong Street in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The number of people who have come into contact with four confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) in South Korea has been tallied at 387. This increase is due to the symptom onset time of the third patient being moved up by six hours, resulting in two additional visited locations in Gangnam, Seoul.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the 28th, the symptom onset time of the third confirmed patient was changed from 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. on the 22nd. Consequently, the number of contacts increased from 74 to 95.

During an in-depth epidemiological investigation of the third patient, South Korean health authorities asked, "When did your respiratory symptoms begin?" The patient responded, "It seems it was at lunchtime, not in the evening." Accordingly, the symptom onset time was revised and the movement path was reassessed.

Park Hye-kyung, head of the Biological Terrorism Response Division at the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explained, "Since epidemiological investigations rely heavily on memory, the information currently known can change at any time," adding, "The standard for conducting epidemiological investigations is the time symptoms appear."

The newly disclosed visited locations are Hanilkwan (Apgujeong-ro) and Bonjuk (Dosan-daero). Four additional daily contacts were identified at these locations. The remaining 17 contacts occurred at institutions closed during the holiday period.

The symptom onset time was determined by rechecking the patient's card usage records and their own statements. Park said, "It seems the third patient’s symptoms started around lunchtime," and added, "We identified contacts by reviewing the patient’s card usage history and CCTV footage from the places they stayed."

Among the 95 contacts of the third patient, 15 are close contacts. The largest number of contacts, 12 people (7 close contacts), occurred at Hotel Newv where the patient stayed. Hanilkwan had 4 contacts (2 close contacts), Bonjuk had 2 (1 close contact), GS25 Hangang Jamwon had 1 (1 close contact), and others accounted for 15 (0 close contacts). Three family members and acquaintances are all close contacts.

Among all contacts, 14 currently exhibit symptoms. Health authorities classified them as suspected cases and conducted diagnostic tests, all of which returned negative results.

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