[Summary] Grandmother, Mother, Brother, Sister... Family-Unit Spread of COVID-19 from Itaewon Club

Confirmed COVID-19 Case in 80s Maternal Grandmother Through Itaewon Club Cluster
Mother Tests Positive Following Nurse Brother in Seongnam
20s Male's Older Sister Also Confirmed...Concerns Over 'Family Unit' Infection Spread

On the afternoon of the 8th, when additional infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred at a club in Itaewon, Seoul, visited by patient number 66 from Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, the government issued an administrative order recommending the suspension of operations for one month at clubs and other entertainment facilities. A temporary closure notice was displayed on the screen in front of a voluntarily closed club in Itaewon, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] An 80-year-old maternal grandmother who had a meal with her grandchild who visited Itaewon clubs has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Previously, following a nurse brother at Seongnam City Medical Center who was confirmed positive after visiting the club and pub, the mother was also diagnosed with COVID-19. Additionally, a man in his 20s living in Incheon who was confirmed positive through this route, and his sister also tested positive in specimen tests.

As COVID-19 originating from Itaewon clubs has spread to the maternal grandmother, brother, mother, and sister, concerns are rising that secondary infections within family units may rapidly expand. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that they will also conduct home visits to track those who visited the clubs but cannot be contacted.

On the 11th, Incheon City announced that Ms. A (84, female), living in Guro-gu, Seoul, tested positive for COVID-19.

Ms. A moved to Bugae-dong, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, where her daughter lives, around noon on the 10th, underwent specimen collection at the Bupyeong-gu Public Health Center screening clinic at 1:38 p.m., returned to her home in Guro-gu at 2:20 p.m., and was later confirmed positive.

It is presumed that Ms. A was infected by her grandson Mr. B (in his 30s). Mr. B tested positive after visiting Itaewon clubs and has been isolated and hospitalized at Seoul Medical Center since the 10th.

It was confirmed that Ms. A had a meal with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson on Parents' Day, May 8. Ms. A's daughter and son-in-law were tested for COVID-19 but received negative results.

Furthermore, following the nurse Mr. C (26) at Seongnam City Medical Center, his mother was also found to be infected. Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, announced on the afternoon of the 9th that the mother (58), living with Mr. B, was finally confirmed positive for COVID-19.

On the morning of the same day, Mr. C's brother (29) was also confirmed positive. Mr. C is known to have visited Itaewon pubs three times during the recent holiday period on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. He was tested at the Seongnam City Medical Center screening clinic on the morning of the 7th and confirmed positive that afternoon.

Health authorities are currently investigating the detailed movements and contacts of the three family members.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day (the 8th), following a man in his 20s living in Incheon who tested positive after visiting Itaewon clubs, his sister also tested positive in specimen tests.

Incheon City announced on the 8th that Ms. D (28, female), residing in Bupyeong-gu and confirmed positive for COVID-19, was transferred to Incheon Medical Center.

Ms. D is the sister of Mr. F (21, male), a visitor to the King Club in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, who was previously confirmed positive for COVID-19.

Mr. F visited the King Club in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th of this month. He then visited the Gwanak-gu Public Health Center screening clinic on the 7th for specimen testing and was confirmed positive for COVID-19 that day.

Incheon City is conducting an epidemiological investigation to check for additional contacts of Mr. F and Ms. D and will announce the results once available.

Meanwhile, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon stated on the 11th regarding COVID-19 cases originating from Itaewon clubs, "For those who visited Itaewon clubs and cannot be contacted, we will not hesitate to conduct home visits in cooperation with the police."

Mayor Park appeared on TBS's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and KBS1 Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current Affairs' on the morning of the 11th, emphasizing, "As of 10 p.m. on the 10th, out of 5,517 names on the Itaewon club visitor list, 2,405 have been contacted. The rest either provided false information or intentionally did not answer calls. We will take strong measures in cooperation with the police."

Mayor Park expressed concern, saying, "As of the 10th, there are 75 confirmed cases nationwide related to Itaewon clubs, with 49 in Seoul. The number of new confirmed cases in Seoul is the highest in a month. Especially since many are infected in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon areas, we are at a crossroads whether this will lead to widespread regional transmission. We are taking the situation very seriously."

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