Two Weeks Since First Patient... New Coronavirus 'Turning Point for Community Spread'

Finding Almost All Infected Is Difficult... Expert Says "It's a Real Battle Once It Spreads"

On the 3rd, as concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection grow, the lobby of COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul is quieter than usual. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As confirmed patients of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) who were missed by domestic health authorities' surveillance network reportedly roamed around various parts of the country for nearly two weeks, fears of community spread are growing. Since third-generation infection cases have occurred, the possibility of infected individuals spreading the virus within local communities cannot be ruled out. Health authorities are also on high alert about the potential emergence of a 'super spreader' (a patient who infects eight or more people through human contact).

◆Confirmed Patients Roaming the Community Using Public Transportation=According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 3rd, patients number 12, 8, and 5 used public transportation for at least one to nearly two weeks, visiting restaurants, marts, medical institutions, and more.

Patient number 12, who visited Seoul, Incheon, Bucheon, Gangneung, Suwon, and Gunpo, was reported by domestic health authorities to have 138 contacts. However, since the patient used complex routes involving subway, taxi, KTX, and other public transportation, it is pointed out that it will be practically difficult to identify all individuals at risk of infection.

Particularly problematic is the fact that the patient visited crowded places such as movie theaters, duty-free shops, and train stations. During the 11 days when he was not under surveillance, he visited the Shilla Duty-Free Shop in Jangchung-dong, Seoul (January 20 and 27) and the multiplex movie theater CGV Bucheon Station branch (January 20 and 26) twice. On January 22, he took the KTX from Seoul Station to Jeongdongjin, visiting accommodations (Sun Cruise Resort), restaurants, and cafes?places popular with tourists. Patient number 12 infected his wife (patient number 14).

◆Visited Sauna, Movie Theater, and Mart Despite Symptoms= Patient number 8 returned from Wuhan, China, via Qingdao on the 23rd of last month, when symptoms appeared. Despite having symptoms such as fever and cough, he visited restaurants in Seoul and Gunsan. He even went to a public bathhouse, where virus transmission is easily facilitated, and was classified as a suspected patient on the 28th of the same month, receiving a negative test result. After being released from isolation, he visited restaurants and large marts, but when symptoms did not improve, he visited Wonkwang University Hospital on the 30th and was confirmed positive on the 31st.

Patient number 5 also traveled to Wuhan and, after returning, used public transportation in Seoul from the 26th to the 28th of last month, roaming Gangnam, Seongbuk, Seongdong, and Jungnang districts, visiting fortune-telling shops, restaurants, marts, wedding shops, and beauty facilities. His girlfriend was secondarily infected by him and became patient number 9. Patient number 13 is a Korean resident who returned on a chartered flight from Wuhan on the 31st of last month. Although quarantined immediately upon arrival at the Police Human Resources Development Institute in Asan, Chungnam, there is a possibility that he infected other residents on the plane.

There are criticisms that holes in the domestic quarantine system have increased community spread. In fact, patient number 1, who was immediately isolated after symptoms were detected at the airport, had 45 contacts, whereas patients number 3 (98 contacts) and 4 (172 contacts), who passed through quarantine, had nearly triple-digit contacts.

Health authorities have also acknowledged the possibility of community spread. Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, explained, "Patients number 12 and 14 had many movement paths, and patient number 8 was released from isolation after testing negative in the first test, living daily life, which increased concerns about virus exposure in the community."

◆Experts: "The Real Battle Starts Now"= Experts unanimously express concern about this situation. Professor Choi Won-seok of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Ansan Hospital analyzed patient number 12 as "a case indicating the risk of community transmission," adding, "Since the exposure period was long, the number of contacts is expected to be considerable." Professor Lee Jae-gap of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital said, "Since the incubation period of contacts of previously confirmed patients number 3 and 4 has begun, an increase in patients was expected," and added, "Once an infectious disease starts spreading in the community, it is endless, so from now on is the real battle for the health authorities."

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