Visitors to Itaewon Clubs in Late April to Early May, 1,200 Still Untested (Update)

Central Disease Control Headquarters: "Over 46,000 Tested"
Estimated 4,300 Tested Related to Itaewon Clubs
158 New Cases Added to Itaewon Cluster Infection

On the 8th, a citizen is passing in front of 'King Club' in Itaewon, Seoul, which was visited by a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Daeyeol] As of the 15th, the number of people tested in relation to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) cluster at Itaewon clubs has increased to over 46,000. Starting with Seoul City, the central government has allowed anonymous testing and actively encouraged testing without revealing personal information, leading many to visit screening clinics.

However, between April 24 and May 6, including the recent holiday period, more than 1,000 people who visited Itaewon clubs have yet to be tested. The health authorities have repeatedly urged these individuals to get tested.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters and local governments, during the week following the announcement of confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs on the 7th, approximately 46,000 people who visited clubs, had contact with confirmed cases, or visited the Itaewon area underwent diagnostic testing. The authorities also report that some were tested simply out of concern or after visiting pubs.

On the 12th, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to Itaewon clubs increases, citizens and foreigners are lining up to get tested for COVID-19 at a screening clinic set up at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Approximately 5,500 Visitors to Five Clubs Including King Club
Testing Status of Remaining 1,200 Unclear
Authorities Urge "Get Tested Without Delay"

The health authorities identified five clubs in Itaewon where 'repeated mass exposure' occurred, including King Club, where the first confirmed case was reported, as well as Trunk, Queen, Soho, and Him. Additionally, they disclosed the names Him, Fountain, Sulpan, Maid, and Pistil as highly likely related venues.

Between late April and early May, about 5,500 people are estimated to have visited the initially announced five clubs including King Club. The total number on entry logs exceeded 6,000, but duplicates were removed. Among the over 46,000 tested, the authorities estimate about 4,300 are related to the clubs based on credit card usage records, mobile base station data, and other information. Simply put, the testing status of approximately 1,200 club visitors remains unclear. Including those who had close contact with club visitors, the number is even higher. This means that several thousand people have not yet been tested or are not being managed within the quarantine network.

Jung Eun-kyung, Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for COVID-19

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a briefing that "We are making every effort to find confirmed cases through widespread diagnostic testing to control the club cluster infection and to manage contacts through epidemiological investigations," adding, "Those who have visited Itaewon clubs or pubs and have not yet been tested are urged to get screened or anonymously tested at the nearest public health center without delay."

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases in the Itaewon club cluster reached 153 as of noon on the same day, an increase of 5 from midnight. Including 5 confirmed cases related to Hongdae pubs, which are linked to the Itaewon clubs, the total reaches 158. Among them, 90 visited the clubs directly, and 68 are secondary infections from contact.

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