Increasing Trend of Military Base COVID-19 Cases Originating from Itaewon

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The number of military personnel diagnosed with COVID-19 is increasing. Three additional soldiers who had contact with a non-commissioned officer from the Cyber Command, who visited the Itaewon clubs in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, have tested positive.

On the 13th, the Ministry of National Defense announced, "As of 10 a.m. today, there are 3 new confirmed COVID-19 cases within the military," adding, "The cumulative number of confirmed cases is 50 (39 recovered)."

The three additional confirmed cases were classified as contacts of Sergeant A, the first confirmed case in the Cyber Command, and were quarantined in a separate facility within the Army Cadet Military School in Goesan, Chungbuk. After confirming Sergeant A's positive test on the 8th of this month, the military conducted tests on 112 Cyber Command personnel according to health authorities' guidelines. Additionally, 71 individuals classified as close contacts were quarantined at the Army Cadet Military School. Although all tested negative in the first round, three additional cases tested positive today.

Among the trainees who enlisted in military training centers this week, some who visited entertainment venues in Itaewon were also newly identified. The newly confirmed soldiers number 45. Combined with 32 trainees who voluntarily reported having used entertainment facilities near Itaewon before the 10th, the total reaches 77. According to health authorities, 208 individuals are quarantined within the military, and 1,372 are under preventive quarantine based on military standards.

A Ministry of National Defense official stated, "We have conducted PCR tests on about 800 people related to the Itaewon clubs," adding, "Units with confirmed cases have restricted outings and are focusing on situation management."

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