One More COVID-19 Patient Discharged in Korea... Suspected Cases Surpass 3,000 (Comprehensive)

A notice prohibiting visits and controlling access is posted at the main building of Seoul National University Hospital. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 10th that no additional domestic cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) have been reported, maintaining the cumulative number of confirmed cases at 27. After three family patients, the 25th to 27th cases, were confirmed on the previous day (9th), no new confirmed cases were reported within a day. Among the previously confirmed patients, patient number 11 (25-year-old male, Korean), whose symptoms have improved, is scheduled to be discharged today. The number of suspected patients, who have traveled to China or epidemic countries and exhibit symptoms such as fever and cough, has exceeded 3,000, and quarantine authorities are still closely monitoring the situation.

◆ Suspected patients 3,083, continuously increasing= The number of suspected patients continues to rise. From 2,571 at 4 p.m. the previous day to 2,749 as of 9 a.m. today, an additional 300 people were added, totaling 3,083. Among them, 2,552 tested negative, and 531 are still undergoing testing. As of today, there are 1,762 contacts of confirmed domestic cases, of whom 927 are quarantined, and 9 have been confirmed positive. The Central Disease Control Headquarters releases the status of novel coronavirus patients twice daily at 10 a.m. (based on 9 a.m.) and 5 p.m. (based on 4 p.m.).

◆ 25th to 27th family patients contacted 43 people= According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, the three family patients who became the 25th to 27th confirmed cases domestically yesterday were confirmed to have contacted a total of 43 people while going back and forth between a supermarket and a restaurant located in Siheung-si, Gyeonggi Province, their residence, after symptom onset. The 25th patient (born in 1946, Korean nationality) visited a supermarket and medical institutions from one day before symptom onset until the time of isolation, and 11 contacts have been identified so far and are under self-quarantine and other measures. The 26th patient (born in 1968, Korean nationality) stayed in Guangdong Province, China, with the 27th patient, returned to Incheon Airport from Macau on January 31, and developed a sore throat on the 8th. The contacts from one day before symptom onset to the time of isolation are the same as those of the 25th patient’s contacts, and no additional contacts have been identified so far.

The 27th patient (born in 1982, Chinese nationality) is the daughter-in-law of the 25th patient and entered Incheon Airport via Macau on January 31 after visiting Guangdong Province, China. The patient developed a cough symptom from January 24 while staying in China, and from entry until isolation, used taxis, restaurants, and medical institutions, with 32 contacts identified so far. All contacts are under self-quarantine and other measures. The Central Disease Control Headquarters stated, "Patients 26 and 27 did not visit Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and did not visit hospitals or markets during their stay in Guangdong Province," adding, "They also stated that they did not consume wild animals nor recall contact with confirmed patients."

◆ Patient 11, whose condition improved, to be discharged today= The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced, "Patient 11 (25-year-old male, Korean) tested negative twice consecutively in tests conducted after symptom improvement," and "is scheduled to be discharged today." Isolation release measures will be taken first, and medical staff will make the final decision on discharge considering the patient's underlying diseases and sequelae. If discharge is confirmed, this will be the fourth recovery case following patients 1, 2, and 4.

Novel coronavirus patients can be discharged based on medical staff judgment if two consecutive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests conducted 24 hours apart after symptoms disappear show negative results. Director Jeong Eun-kyung of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said, "Separate from isolation release, patients may receive treatment for other underlying diseases in the hospital, and discharge time is undecided due to procedures and preparation processes."

Patient 11 is the son of patient 6 (55-year-old male, Korean) and is a third-generation infected patient. Patient 6 became the first domestic secondary infected patient after dining with acquaintance patient 3 (54-year-old male, Korean), and subsequently, his son was additionally confirmed positive and has been receiving treatment at Seoul National University Hospital since the 31st of last month.

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