Shincheonji, Worst-Case Scenario Predicts Thousands of Patients

Over 1,200 Suspected Patients, High Probability of Confirmation
253 Unreachable Followers Also at Risk

Ambulances transporting COVID-19 confirmed patients are lined up at Keimyung University Daegu Dongsan Hospital in Jung-gu, Daegu. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Daeyeol, Kim Heungsun] As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continue to surge, centered around the Shincheonji Daegu Church, projections suggest that in the worst-case scenario, the number of patients could exceed several thousand. This is because the number of people subject to diagnostic testing alone reaches about 9,500, and more than 1,200 suspected patients with symptoms exist, all of whom have a high likelihood of testing positive.

According to the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of 9 a.m. on the 24th, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the country is 763. This is an increase of 161 patients overnight from 602 cases reported at 4 p.m. on the 23rd. Among these, 129 new cases are related to the Shincheonji Daegu Church. Since the 31st patient (born in 1959, Korean female) was identified among the church members on the 18th, the number of related confirmed cases has been in double digits daily, with 98 new cases added on the 23rd alone, and triple-digit confirmed cases identified overnight.

Additional patients related to the Shincheonji Daegu Church are overwhelmingly concentrated in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, with a total increase of 123 cases. Cases related to the church have also been reported in Gyeonggi (3 cases), Gyeongnam (2 cases), and Gwangju (1 case). Among the newly confirmed cases, 32 are currently under investigation by health authorities to determine the source of infection, with 19 of these cases in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Additional confirmed cases related to the Shincheonji Daegu Church may be reported in the afternoon tally.

The government and health authorities expect a rapid increase in cases related to the Shincheonji Daegu Church for the time being. They have received the full list of 9,334 church members and 201 attendees from other regions who participated in worship services in Daegu, totaling 9,535 people, and are conducting comprehensive investigations. Among them, 1,248 have reported symptoms.

Park Neunghoo, head of the COVID-19 Central Accident Response Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), stated, "Since testing is being focused on those who have reported symptoms such as fever and cough, we expect a concentrated emergence of confirmed cases over the next few days." Additionally, 253 church members on the list have not been contacted. If these individuals are symptomatic, the number of suspected patients could exceed 1,500.

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