An Octogenarian Also Tested Positive... Concerns Over 'Secondary Infection' Among Asymptomatic Young People from Itaewon Clubs

34.8% of Cumulative Confirmed Cases Related to Itaewon Clubs Are Asymptomatic
Asymptomatic Infected Individuals Cause Secondary Infections Through Contact with Family Members
KCDC: "Asymptomatic and Mild Cases in Their 20s and 30s... Difficult to Break the Chain of Infection"

On the afternoon of the 11th, as new coronavirus infections related to Itaewon clubs are rapidly increasing, medical staff are conducting tests at the screening clinic of Yeongdeungpo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Concerns are growing about asymptomatic infections of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among people who visited clubs in Itaewon, Seoul. Since there are no symptoms, cases of secondary infections through contact with family and acquaintances are increasing.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 11th, the total number of confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs has risen to 86, of which 30 cases, accounting for 34.8% of the total, were confirmed while asymptomatic.

Among these, 23 confirmed cases occurred among family members, acquaintances, and colleagues who had contact with the infected individuals.

Cases where asymptomatic infected individuals come into contact with family members leading to secondary infections continue to appear steadily.

According to Incheon City on the same day, Mr. A (84), residing in Guro-gu, Seoul, was confirmed positive for COVID-19 after undergoing specimen testing at the Bupyeong-gu Public Health Center screening clinic in Incheon. Mr. A has been urgently transferred to a nationally designated isolation hospital in Seoul.

It was identified that Mr. A had contact with his grandson in his 30s, who tested positive on the 10th after visiting an Itaewon club on the 3rd.

In Bucheon City, Gyeonggi Province, a woman in her 50s tested positive after contact with her son who had visited an Itaewon club.

In Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, the brother and mother of nurse Ms. B, who visited an Itaewon pub three times on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th and was confirmed positive on the 8th, tested positive the following day.

The quarantine authorities have recommended that club visitors undergo prompt testing.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the CDSCH, explained at a regular briefing held at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Osong, Chungbuk on the 11th, "Most of the confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs are young people in their 20s and 30s, so there are no critically ill patients yet, and because of asymptomatic and mild cases, it is difficult to completely block the infection chain," adding, "It is expected that the epidemic will continue to fluctuate between outbreaks and easing."

She continued, "Considering the average incubation period, it is estimated that many cases will occur between the 7th and 13th," and emphasized, "We urge those who visited Itaewon entertainment facilities to get tested promptly today or tomorrow."

She also said, "We have heard that some people are reluctant to get tested because they fear being blamed as confirmed cases. The quarantine authorities will strive to ensure that no one experiences discomfort or prejudice during diagnostic testing," and requested, "We ask the public and journalists to help prevent prejudice and discrimination against confirmed cases."

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