Incheon City on Alert Over 'Itaewon Club' Local Infections...Strengthening Quarantine Activities in Blind Spots

Suspension of Entertainment Venues Operations Until the 24th and Mandatory Testing for Itaewon Club Visitors
Mandatory Testing for New Patients and Medical Staff at Nursing Hospitals and Psychiatric Medical Institutions
Operation of 'Mobile Quarantine Teams' Visiting Foreign Workers, Homeless, and Ssokbang Residents

Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun made an emergency announcement on the 10th regarding the 'Itaewon Club COVID-19 Cluster Infection.'
[Photo by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City is strengthening quarantine measures amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19 infections originating from clubs in Itaewon, Seoul, and the management of infectious diseases in blind spots such as vulnerable groups. Notably, Incheon has become the first local government nationwide to mandate diagnostic testing for new patients and medical staff at nursing and psychiatric hospitals.

According to the city on the 12th, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases related to the Itaewon clubs within the region has increased to a total of seven as of the morning of that day.

Among them, three confirmed cases had directly visited Itaewon clubs or pubs, while the rest are secondary infections. Considering that the identities of some Itaewon club visitors remain unknown, the possibility of additional confirmed cases and secondary infections is increasing.

Additionally, due to the region's characteristics, confirmed cases entering from overseas through the airport are steadily rising, keeping the local community on high alert. The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Incheon has reached 105 as of that day.

Accordingly, Incheon City is enhancing infectious disease prevention measures to respond to the cluster infections originating from Itaewon clubs and to address blind spots in COVID-19 testing, aiming to prevent further spread within the region.

First, a gathering ban order has been issued for all 1,082 entertainment establishments and colatecs in the city until midnight on the 24th. This gathering ban prohibits people from assembling in entertainment venues, effectively serving as a business suspension order.

Furthermore, since the 29th of last month, those who have visited Itaewon clubs have been ordered to undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing and to refrain from interpersonal contact. This applies to individuals with addresses, residences, workplaces, or other ties in Incheon who visited any of the six clubs located in Itaewon: King, Queen, Trunk, The Fountain, Soho, and Him.

Mayor Park Namchun stated, "We recognize the seriousness of the situation as cases of cluster infections related to Itaewon clubs spreading into the local community are increasing," and urged, "Those subject to the order should voluntarily undergo diagnostic testing, and citizens ordered to self-quarantine must comply more thoroughly."

Incheon City has also issued additional administrative orders for compliance to all nursing hospitals and psychiatric medical institutions in the city. New patients, as well as newly employed medical staff and caregivers, must undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing and confirm a negative result before admission or starting work. This measure targeting nursing and psychiatric hospitals, considered high-risk facilities for COVID-19 infection, is the first of its kind in Incheon.

Moreover, a man in his 20s residing in Guro-gu, Seoul, who was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on the 9th after visiting a pub in Itaewon, was admitted to a psychiatric medical institution in Incheon. This has highlighted the urgent need for strong quarantine measures to prevent the introduction of infections into hospitals.

Currently, the hospital has suspended outpatient services and is managing the facility at a cohort isolation level, including blocking external contacts and controlling entry. The city has transferred 44 patients from the 4th-floor ward where the confirmed patient was admitted to Incheon and Gongju Medical Centers. Earlier, on the 9th, COVID-19 tests for 177 inpatients and 59 medical staff and employees all returned negative results.

Quarantine activities targeting blind spots in COVID-19 testing will also be strengthened. Starting from the 18th, the city will operate a 'Mobile Quarantine Team' to enhance infectious disease prevention measures for foreign workers (including undocumented workers), homeless people, and residents of small-room dwellings. The mobile quarantine teams, composed of medical staff, administrative personnel, and interpreters, will be organized with one team per district health center, totaling 10 teams.

Prior to this, the city has been surveying workplaces with many foreign workers and the operation status of dormitories, as well as investigating homeless facilities, street homeless individuals, residents of small-room dwellings, and foreign guests staying long-term at lodging facilities.

Based on the survey results, the city plans to conduct screenings for fever and respiratory diseases, provide free testing for those showing COVID-19 symptoms, deliver health education on personal hygiene rules to prevent COVID-19, and carry out disinfection and sanitation of group living facilities such as homeless shelters and small-room dwelling areas.

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