Confirmed Case in Yongin Roaming Clubs Without Mask... Authorities "Strengthening Social Distancing Based on Epidemic Trends" (Update)

Central Disease Control Headquarters Regular Briefing
"Wore a mask before entering but not inside the club"
Indoor crowded facilities and close contact during periods of high transmissibility

On the 8th, a citizen is passing in front of 'King Club' in Itaewon, Seoul, where a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) had visited. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Daeyeol, Kim Heungsun] A patient in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, who tested positive for COVID-19 on the 6th, was found not to have worn a mask while visiting a club. The patient visited the club just before symptoms appeared, and since there is a high possibility of infecting others around the time symptoms develop, the scale of the cluster infection is expected to grow larger. The health authorities plan to review the trend of this cluster infection and consider strengthening social distancing measures.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters for COVID-19, said in a briefing on the 8th, "The virus test results showed a significant viral load, and the patient visited the facility (club) during a period of high infectivity," adding, "It was confirmed that the patient wore a mask while waiting before entering the club but did not wear one inside."

According to the health authorities, the patient visited 'King Club,' 'Trunk,' and 'Queen' clubs consecutively in the early hours of the 2nd. After visiting the clubs, the patient showed symptoms such as fever and diarrhea. As of the morning of that day, there were 12 confirmed cases related to these clubs in the Itaewon area, including 3 foreigners and 1 soldier. The age range is mostly young people between 19 and 37 years old.

Including acquaintances and coworkers who tested positive the previous day and the patient themselves, the total confirmed cases so far are 15. In recent days, community infections were either absent or minimal, but just two days after transitioning to daily life quarantine, there is a growing possibility of a large-scale cluster infection in the metropolitan area.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency), is attending a regular briefing on the domestic occurrence status of COVID-19 and the interim investigation results of confirmed patients on the afternoon of the 8th at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Cheongju, Chungbuk.

According to local governments and health authorities, there were 73 employees working at the clubs on the day the Yongin patient visited, and the total number of visitors was estimated to be around 1,500. However, these figures are not direct contacts of the patient but are based on overall visitor logs. Since some visitors may not have been recorded, the actual number of visitors could be higher.

In addition to the clubs, the patient also traveled around Gangwon-do and engaged in community activities after symptom onset. The exact number of contacts is currently under epidemiological investigation. Among the 15 confirmed cases identified so far in this cluster, the Yongin patient showed symptoms the earliest. Head Jung urged, "Because the confirmed patient had many movements, even if you did not visit the three mentioned establishments between midnight and 4 a.m. on May 2nd, if you visited any clubs or entertainment facilities in Itaewon and have suspicious symptoms, please get tested at a screening clinic through your local health center or by calling 1339."

Concerns about cluster infections in the metropolitan area have increased less than two days after switching to the so-called daily life quarantine system on the 6th, raising interest in whether social distancing measures will be strengthened again as in the past. Head Jung said, "We will make a judgment based on the scale, transmission patterns, and trends of this outbreak." Regarding whether to postpone school openings further, she said, "It is too early to discuss that now," but added that they will consult with related ministries based on future epidemiological investigation results and transmission patterns.

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