8 out of 10 COVID-19 Patients Linked to Cluster Outbreaks... Shincheonji Accounts for 63% (Update)

Central Disease Control Headquarters Regular Briefing on Domestic Occurrence Status
As of 0:00 on the 8th, 5,667 out of 7,134 Domestic Patients Linked to Group Outbreaks

On the 8th, ahead of the implementation of the 5-day mask purchase system, many citizens are lining up at a pharmacy in Jongno, Seoul to buy public masks./Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] It has been identified that about 8 out of 10 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Korea are related to group outbreaks.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 8th, among the 7,134 confirmed cases confirmed by 0:00 a.m., approximately 79.4%, or 5,667 people, were confirmed to be part of group infections or infected through contact with those patients. This is based on epidemiological investigation results so far, and the number may increase depending on further investigation outcomes.

A significant portion consists of cases related to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, where a 'super-spreader' event occurred around mid-last month. Patients directly or indirectly related to Shincheonji number 4,482, accounting for 62.8% of all patients. In Daegu, among 5,381 confirmed patients, 4,418 belong to group infection cases, with 3,882 related to Shincheonji. Those who had contact with patients number 534, and 2 are related to Cheongdo Daenam Hospital in Gyeongbuk.

In Seoul, 75 out of 120 total COVID-19 patients are classified as group outbreaks. Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital has the highest number with 14, followed by an apartment in Seongdong-gu (13), and Jongno-gu including Myeongnyun Church (10), which are considered group outbreak cases. There are 4 Shincheonji-related patients in Seoul. In Gyeonggi Province, among 141 total patients, 106 are group outbreak cases, including 22 related to Shincheonji, 10 at Suwon Saengmyeongsaem Church, and 11 at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital.

In Gyeongbuk, where the number of confirmed patients reaches 1,081, 777 patients, accounting for 71.9% of the total, are classified as group infection cases including Shincheonji (485), Cheongdo Daenam Hospital (118), Bonghwa Pureun Nursing Home (51), pilgrimage-related cases (49), Chilgok Milal Sarang House (24), and Gyeongsan Jeil Silver Town (17). Additionally, sporadic group outbreak cases have been identified in specific facilities or groups such as Cheonan sports facilities (Chungnam 92, Sejong 2), Busan Oncheon Church (Busan 34, Gyeongnam 2), Hanmaeum Changwon Hospital-related (7), and Changnyeong Dongjeon Karaoke-related (7).

Director Jeong Eun-kyung stated at the briefing, "COVID-19 has the characteristic of spreading easily in the early mild stage, so small-scale outbreaks can continue to occur whenever exposure happens in enclosed spaces such as group facilities or religious events." She added, "The biggest challenge and key issue is how to protect nursing hospitals and nursing homes, where many elderly people reside, from infection. We are putting all our efforts into strengthening and inspecting thorough infection prevention measures at the facility level."

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