"Large-scale Infection Resurgence? Confirmed Case in Yongin Visited Club... Growing 'Anxiety'"

Yongin Patient No. 66 Visited 5 Places Including Itaewon Clubs
Citizens Fear "Community Transmission and Large-Scale Infection May Follow"
Experts Say "Mask Wearing Difficult in Entertainment Venues... High Possibility of Additional Cases"

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] A 66th confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has occurred in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, raising alarms about community transmission. The confirmed patient was found to have visited multiple places, including travel destinations and pubs, during the 'Golden Holiday' period starting from the 30th of last month. It is estimated that at least 2,000 people visited the five locations, including clubs, that he had been to, and 13 additional confirmed cases have been identified among contacts of the 66th patient.

As a result, public concern is growing that a large-scale infection outbreak caused by this confirmed patient may occur again. In the case of pubs, it is difficult to wear masks or practice 'social distancing' in enclosed spaces, increasing the risk of infection through droplets and close contact.

Experts say it is hard to believe that personal quarantine rules were well followed and see the possibility of additional confirmed cases occurring.

According to Yongin City and quarantine authorities on the 7th, a 29-year-old man A, residing in Yongin, was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on the 6th. This was just two days after the COVID-19 quarantine system shifted to 'distancing in daily life.'

Investigations revealed that from the start of the holiday on the 30th of last month until the 1st of this month, A visited places including Anyang and Yongin in Gyeonggi Province, Seoul, and traveled through Songpa-gu in Seoul and Nami Island, then visited Chuncheon City and Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province with four friends living in these areas.

It was also confirmed that from the 1st to the morning of the 2nd, he visited five places including clubs and pubs in the Itaewon area. It is estimated that about 2,000 people, with 300 to 500 users per club, were present when A visited.

Kim Kang-lip, the first chief coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a regular briefing at the Government Sejong Complex at 11 a.m. on the 8th, "Today, exceptionally, I will urgently report the occurrence of confirmed patients after midnight. During the investigation of contacts of the 29-year-old confirmed patient identified in Yongin on the 7th, in addition to the patient himself and one acquaintance in Anyang, 13 additional confirmed cases have been identified after midnight today (the 8th) so far."

Given this situation, concerns are growing that a second large-scale infection spread may occur. It is difficult to comply with personal quarantine rules such as wearing masks and maintaining a distance of more than 1 meter inside clubs or pubs.

Photo by Yonhap News

Some argue that quarantine levels should be strengthened again through social distancing. Since people visiting pubs are mainly in their 20s, who are highly active, there is concern that if community transmission begins, it could easily expand into a mass infection.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 7th, among confirmed cases so far, those in their 20s account for 2,966 people (27.44%), the highest proportion. Jeong Eun-kyeong, head of the KDCA, previously stated last month, "(People in their 20s) have a wide range of activities, so if they become confirmed cases, they cause a large number of contacts, and if close contact occurs in enclosed spaces, it can lead to super-spreader events, so special caution is requested."

Experts predict that the transition to social distancing could be decided depending on the occurrence of additional confirmed cases.

Kim Woo-joo, professor of infectious diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "(The Yongin 66th confirmed patient) had a very long movement path and contacted many people. Since he visited entertainment facilities, exposure likely occurred without wearing a mask," adding, "Therefore, there is a considerable possibility of additional confirmed cases."

However, he believes the possibility of reverting from distancing in daily life back to social distancing is still low. Professor Kim explained, "Since the 66th patient was confirmed two days ago, it is necessary to observe whether additional patients occur in the next few days."

Meanwhile, Park Neung-hoo, first deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), announced at a briefing held at the Government Seoul Complex on the 3rd that the implementation of distancing in daily life would be accompanied by repeated responses of easing and strengthening social distancing depending on the infection control situation.

Deputy Head Park urged, "Please keep in mind that if the situation worsens, we can return to strengthened social distancing at any time, and I ask for the efforts of individuals and society to continue maintaining distancing in daily life."

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