19-Year-Old Son of Wuhan Returnee Patient "Possible Infection at Busan Oncheon Church Event" (Update)

A 19-year-old male from Dongnae-gu, Busan, who tested positive for COVID-19, visited Oncheon Church during his movement [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Among the families of Korean residents who returned from Wuhan, China, a teenage male in Dongnae-gu, Busan, who was confirmed positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), is believed to have been infected at a local church event rather than through family transmission.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), stated at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters on the afternoon of the 23rd, "As of 9 a.m. today in Busan, seven patients have been confirmed, including four patients related to the Shincheonji Daegu Church and three patients related to Oncheon Church located in Dongnae-gu." Among the three patients linked to Oncheon Church, a 19-year-old male is included.

The patient's father is a Korean resident who was discharged from a temporary living facility in Asan, Chungnam, on the 16th after returning from Wuhan. Although the father tested negative for COVID-19 at the time of discharge, he was tested again on the 22nd after his son was confirmed positive. He also tested negative then.

Director Jung said, "Considering that the symptom onset date of patients related to Oncheon Church was February 19, it is judged that they were likely exposed to the source of infection at the religious event held at Oncheon Church on the 16th." The health authorities advised that among the worshippers who attended the Oncheon Church religious event on the 16th, those experiencing fever or respiratory symptoms should first contact the local health center or the KCDC call center (1339) and then visit the nearest screening clinic for examination.

Meanwhile, according to the investigation by health authorities, 18 out of 39 residents from Gyeongbuk Province who participated in a pilgrimage to Israel tested positive for COVID-19. Seventeen of them are members of the Catholic Andong Diocese, and one guide (from Seoul) is included. Testing is ongoing for the remaining 21 individuals. The 41 churches affiliated with the Catholic Andong Diocese have decided to suspend all masses and gatherings until March 13.

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