Nowon-gu "Contacts Wearing Masks When Exposed to Confirmed Cases Are Not Classified as Contacts"

Nowon-gu refutes JTBC report on 25th claiming a community leader with COVID-19 symptoms distributed masks for two days, stating "Health authorities (KCDC and Seoul City) consider proper mask use by either confirmed or contact person reduces infection risk, so such contacts are not classified as close contacts and this is applied in epidemiological investigations"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) stated on the 25th in response to JTBC's report that "During the distribution of two masks per person to all residents of Nowon-gu, a community leader who had COVID-19 fever symptoms distributed masks for two days but did not inform residents because they thought it would cause anxiety," that "According to epidemiological investigations by the quarantine authorities (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and Seoul City), if either the confirmed patient or the other party properly wears a mask, the probability of infection is low, so they are not classified as contacts, and this is applied in epidemiological investigation practices."

Accordingly, it was announced that all confirmed cases in Nowon-gu so far have not been classified as contacts if masks were worn during contact with the confirmed patient.

The community leader wore two masks during the distribution process, frequently disinfected hands with portable hand sanitizer, and thoroughly practiced infection prevention, it added.

It was also explained that the reason for not disclosing the community leader's identity was in accordance with the Central Disease Control Headquarters' "Guidelines on Disclosure of Information Related to the Movement Paths of COVID-19 Confirmed Patients," which states that "personally identifiable information is kept confidential."

Three family members of the community leader tested negative in specimen tests, the facility manager who drank tea with the community leader without masks also tested negative, and the remaining four community leaders are currently under self-quarantine.

It was reported that no symptomatic individuals have appeared in the relevant apartment complex 12 days after the community leader's fever symptoms.

The district expressed deep regret over the report that did not reflect this information despite having sufficiently conveyed it to the broadcasting company before the broadcast.

Nowon-gu also stated that it will continue to do its best to prevent COVID-19 infections for the health and safety of its residents.

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