"Asymptomatic Rate in Itaewon Cluster Infection 'Unaware Even If Infected,' Averaging 3 Times Higher"

The asymptomatic rate of domestic COVID-19 patients is about 10%,
while the asymptomatic rate among patients related to Itaewon clubs is around 30%

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 Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Among 10 confirmed COVID-19 patients linked to clubs in the Itaewon area of Seoul, about 3 were found to have no symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Considering that the usual asymptomatic confirmation rate is about 10%, this is a significantly high level. Since the end of April, health authorities have strengthened measures to allow anyone who visited the Itaewon area to get tested regardless of whether they have fever or cough.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19 on the 10th, epidemiological investigations of confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs up to the previous day showed that the asymptomatic patient rate was about 30%. This figure reflects symptoms at the time of confirmation and does not account for symptoms that may appear during treatment.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough. Patient No. 66 in Yongin showed diarrhea symptoms, and pains like body aches or fatigue are also considered COVID-19 symptoms. There are also cases of loss of smell or taste. However, the medical community notes that sometimes these symptoms are absent or very mild at the time of confirmation, so patients themselves may not recognize them as symptoms.

"COVID-19 spreads easily even without symptoms or with mild symptoms"
Health authorities: "If you visited clubs, asymptomatic individuals can also get tested"

According to the Central Clinical Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases, composed of medical staff responsible for treating COVID-19 patients, the domestic asymptomatic patient rate is about 10%. The committee analyzed 1,868 patients registered in the domestic clinical information system at the end of last month and found that 200 (10.7%) showed no symptoms at the time of hospitalization. The asymptomatic rate in the Itaewon club cluster infection is three times higher. Although the number of patients related to Itaewon clubs is still in the dozens, this is a notable figure.

The reason health authorities consider COVID-19 difficult to control is because there are many patients who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Especially among young people, asymptomatic and mild cases are common. Since they have no or mild symptoms and are at an age of active social activity, they can easily spread the virus to others. The fact that patients can shed a large amount of virus and easily transmit it to others even without symptoms is a challenging aspect of containment efforts.

Health authorities have taken proactive measures such as encouraging diagnostic testing for those presumed to have been exposed to the source of infection. Regardless of symptoms, anyone who visited clubs in the Itaewon area between April 29 and May 6 can get tested. Some local governments have already conducted diagnostic tests for club visitors, but the central government has significantly lowered the threshold for testing. Previously, until the afternoon of the previous day, health authorities had requested people to stay home and report to health centers or the 1339 call center and follow instructions.

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