Muan-gun, First COVID-19 Confirmed Case Emerges, 'Tension'

County Governor Kim San Issues Urgent Statement on Confirmed Cases
"We Will Do Our Best to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 by Mobilizing All Resources"

Kim San, the governor of Muan County, is issuing a statement through an emergency briefing following the occurrence of the first confirmed case in Muan. (Photo by Muan County)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] A man in his 40s who recently returned to Korea after living in the Czech Republic and was staying in Muan, Jeollanam-do, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), prompting local authorities to be on high alert.

On the 22nd at 10 a.m., Kim San, the governor of Muan County, held an emergency briefing in Muan to announce the occurrence of the first confirmed case.

Governor Kim San stated, “I am very sorry and regretful to inform the residents of the confirmed case,” and added, “We will do our utmost to prevent further spread by mobilizing all available resources.”

He continued, “Five disinfection vehicles were immediately deployed to disinfect the confirmed patient’s residence and the surrounding areas,” and said, “The second round of disinfection was completed from 7 a.m. on the 22nd.”

He further explained, “To inform the residents about the confirmed case, we transparently and promptly disclosed the details of the case, epidemiological investigation results, and disinfection measures through village-wide broadcasts, text messages sent to all residents, and posting the patient’s movement routes on the website.”

Governor Kim San urged, “Please actively participate in the ‘Social Distancing’ campaign running from the 22nd to the 5th of next month so that everyone can feel safe and focus on their daily lives.”

Mr. A entered Korea via Incheon Airport after passing through France before returning. Although he underwent special entry procedures, he showed no suspicious symptoms such as fever at that time.

On the 17th, at around 6:15 p.m., after arriving at Incheon Airport, he took an express bus bound for Mokpo and then took a taxi from Mokpo Bus Terminal to Namak, Muan.

His wife and daughter, who returned with him, were sent to their home in Seoul, while he lived alone at his family home in Muan.

While Mr. A stayed at his parents’ house, his mother visited twice to bring side dishes and other food. The method was that after placing the food, Mr. A would take it about 2 to 3 hours later.

Mr. A’s younger brother and his wife lived on the second floor, but since they used different entrances, it was understood that there was no contact. Also, after reviewing the COVID app and Mr. A’s card statements, no evidence of movement outside the house was found.

Muan County is focusing on conducting an epidemiological investigation with health authorities to accurately identify Mr. A’s movements and contacts.

Meanwhile, this case is the first overseas infection case in Jeollanam-do. The cumulative number of confirmed cases in the Jeonnam region is six, of which three have been discharged.

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