Authorities: "54 Confirmed Cases Related to Itaewon Clubs as of Noon on the 10th... About 7,000 Contacts" (Update)

On the 10th, when Seoul City issued a 'gathering ban order' for all entertainment facilities in Seoul following the COVID-19 cluster infection outbreak originating from Itaewon clubs, a gathering ban notice was posted at an Itaewon club in Seoul known to have been visited by confirmed cases. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As of 12 PM on the 10th, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to clubs in Itaewon, Seoul, has been counted at 54. Since the first patient was reported on the 6th, the number has steadily increased, and as tests are planned for approximately 6,000 to 7,000 people who visited the clubs over the past week, the number is expected to rise further.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, stated at the regular briefing on the day, "The total number of confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs is currently 54, and epidemiological investigations to identify additional contacts and sources of infection are ongoing."

Among the 34 new confirmed cases as of midnight on the day, 24 were identified as contacts related to clubs located in Itaewon. Of these, 18 had directly visited the Itaewon clubs, and 6 were contacts of those visitors. Additionally, 11 more cases were confirmed in the half-day following midnight, bringing the total to 54.

Including patient number 66 from Yongin, who was the first to be confirmed positive related to the Itaewon clubs, 43 people have directly visited the clubs, while 11 others did not visit but are family members, acquaintances, or colleagues. By region, Seoul has the highest number with 30 cases, followed by Gyeonggi with 14, Incheon with 6, Chungbuk with 2, and Busan and Jeju with 1 each. No third-generation infection cases, where the virus was transmitted again after being infected by a patient confirmed after visiting the clubs, have been identified so far.

The health authorities are considering this a cluster infection mediated by the clubs and are working with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to identify contacts. Approximately 1,600 to 1,900 people visited the clubs on the 2nd, and including those who visited before and after, the total is estimated to be between 6,000 and 7,000. Since epidemiological investigations are ongoing, the number of contacts or those presumed to have been exposed to the source of infection may increase.

Director Jung urged, "Those who visited clubs in Itaewon, Seoul, from the end of April to May 6 are at high risk of exposure to the virus, so please refrain from going out, stay at home, and contact your local health center or the 1339 call center to follow instructions such as diagnostic testing."

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