Government to Conduct COVID-19 Testing for 3,162 Shincheonji Church Members Working in Multiple Facilities

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Eun-mo] The government will conduct diagnostic tests for COVID-19 on all 3,162 Shincheonji Church members and trainees working in medical institutions, daycare centers, and social welfare facilities, which are multi-use facilities.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced on the 13th, "We plan to conduct diagnostic tests on Shincheonji members and trainees working in multi-use facilities vulnerable to group infections, such as hospital-level or higher medical institutions, daycare centers, kindergartens, and social welfare living facilities," adding, "We will provide the list to local governments so that all 3,162 workers can immediately undergo diagnostic testing."

According to data from the National Health Insurance Service and the Social Security Information Service, the estimated number of workers in multi-use facilities nationwide is approximately 677,000. This includes 290,000 in hospital-level or higher medical institutions, 292,000 in daycare centers, 56,000 in kindergartens, and about 38,000 in social welfare living facilities.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters analyzed data obtained during administrative investigations along with previously held Shincheonji member lists and identified 4,128 Shincheonji members and trainees among all multi-use facility workers. Of these, 966 (867 members and 99 trainees) have already been tested. Additional testing will be conducted on 2,564 members and 598 trainees who have not yet been tested.

Lee Kang-ho, head of the Special Management Task Force at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, explained, "Since multi-use facilities have a high risk of group infections, this means that Shincheonji members working there will be managed through separate screenings even if they show no symptoms."

Earlier, on the 10th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that diagnostic tests would be conducted on 1,363 Shincheonji members and trainees among workers and caregivers in group living facilities such as nursing hospitals and nursing facilities.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a briefing that afternoon, "Testing is currently underway, and although the final tally has not been completed, about 70 to 80% of the tests have been conducted," adding, "So far, there have been no reports of positive cases."

Meanwhile, the government stated that most Shincheonji members in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions have undergone virus testing. It is known that some members whose whereabouts are unknown have not been tested. Additionally, telephone surveys to assess symptoms among Shincheonji members outside the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions are in the final stages.

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