"Feeling Uncomfortable Every Time Entering Sindorim Station" Subway, Could It Become a Trigger for COVID-19 Cluster Infection?

Shindorim Station Daily Passenger Volume Around 90,000... Concerns Over Virus Spread in Public Transport
"Virus Released Even While Breathing... Mask Wearing Is Crucial"
Government: "Tracking Infection Sources in Public Transport Is Difficult... Compliance with Hygiene Rules Is Important"

On the morning of the 11th, when the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases at the Guro call center exceeded 90, citizens wearing masks were commuting through Sindorim Station in Guro-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporters Suwan Kim and Intern Reporter Juhyung Lim] "I can't shake off the uneasy feeling every time I enter Sindorim Station."

A (28), an office worker who commutes daily from Sindorim Station in Seoul on Line 1 subway to City Hall Station, has recently been reluctant to use public transportation. This is after hearing news that a large number of COVID-19 cases were confirmed at a call center near the station.

A said, "Honestly, I never really thought about the possibility of infection on the subway before," adding, "But ever since I heard about the mass infection at the Guro call center, I've been constantly worried. I try not to hold onto the handrails, and even if a seat is available, I hesitate to sit down," expressing frustration.

On the 10th, a mass COVID-19 infection involving over 100 people occurred at a call center located on the 11th floor of the Korea Building in Guro-gu, Seoul, raising concerns that the infection might spread centered around call centers. It was confirmed that some of the infected call center employees commuted using Line 1 subway.

As a result, anxiety is growing that the subway itself could become a flashpoint for mass COVID-19 infections.

The building is located between Guro Station and Sindorim Station, in what is called a "double station area." This area is a transportation hub densely packed with subway and bus lines, used by tens of thousands of office workers commuting from Gyeonggi Province to Seoul. Sindorim Station had an average daily ridership of 9,299 last year, while Guro Station saw about 2,523 daily passengers.

This is why there are concerns that if infectious diseases spread at these two subway stations, they could extend throughout the entire metropolitan area.

On the 11th, officials from Seoul Metro are disinfecting the passenger cars of Line 1 subway trains related to COVID-19 at the Gunja Vehicle Depot Inspection Garage in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Experts also explained that confined spaces like subways can be a spark for mass infections through contact with confirmed patients.

Jung Ki-seok, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Hallym University College of Medicine and former Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in an interview with SBS, "If a confirmed patient was not wearing a mask in a crowded subway where people are packed closely together, everyone around should be considered close contacts," adding, "Infection can occur when there is contact within 2 meters for more than 15 minutes, which is roughly the duration of traveling 6 to 7 subway stops together."

Lee Jae-gap, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, said in an interview on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "There is a high possibility that viruses are present on places frequently touched by hands, such as handrails and straps," adding, "The virus itself dies after a few hours, but inside the subway, many people repeatedly touch these surfaces every 5 to 10 minutes. Infection can spread through this as well."

On the afternoon of the 10th, when a large number of COVID-19 cases occurred in Guro-gu, citizens wearing masks were using Sindorim Station of the subway located in Guro-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

The government urged citizens to maintain strict hygiene to prevent the spread of mass infections in public transportation.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held on the 11th at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, "Because public transportation involves a large number of unspecified people packed together, it is difficult to accurately trace infection routes," adding, "Since viruses can be present on hands that have touched handrails and straps, it is important to wash hands thoroughly."

She also emphasized the need for thorough disinfection and hygiene management of public transportation such as buses and trains, adding, "Transportation and railway officials are making great efforts in this regard."

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