Confirmed 1 Case of COVID-19 '4th Transmission': "Club → Contact → Karaoke → Detention Center Staff" (Comprehensive)

Cluster Infection Originating from Club Continues Chain Transmission via Karaoke Rooms

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] A '4th transmission' case has been confirmed in relation to the group infection originating from Itaewon clubs in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. On the 16th, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, explained at a regular briefing held at the government Sejong Government Complex, "One person was confirmed as a 4th transmission case related to the group infection that started at the Itaewon club," adding, "There was a 2nd transmission, followed by a 3rd transmission at a specific karaoke room, and then a 4th transmission occurred from another acquaintance among the karaoke visitors."

The confirmed case from the 4th transmission is a Seoul detention center employee who was infected through contact with a confirmed patient who had visited the karaoke room. This infection occurred after visiting a karaoke room in Dobong-gu, Seoul, where the '3rd transmission' took place, and then traveling with an acquaintance. This karaoke room is 'Gawang Coin Noraeyeonseupjang' located in Dobong-gu, Seoul. After the 10th confirmed patient in Dobong (2nd infection), who had close contact with a confirmed patient who visited the Itaewon club, visited the karaoke room, additional confirmed patients numbered 12 and 13 in Dobong (3rd infections) were identified among other visitors.

The cluster infection originating from the club is continuing as a chain infection mediated by karaoke rooms. It was also confirmed that the Hongdae pub infection is linked to a karaoke room located in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. A confirmed patient who visited the Itaewon club used the karaoke room in Gwanak-gu, and the first symptomatic patient among the Hongdae pub confirmed cases used the same room in the karaoke room within a 3-minute interval on the same day.

As of 12 noon on the day, the number of confirmed cases related to the Itaewon club cluster infection is 162, an increase of one from midnight. Among the confirmed cases, 88 are club visitors, and the remaining 74 are contacts such as family, acquaintances, and colleagues. By region, Seoul had the highest number with 90 cases, followed by Gyeonggi with 31, and Incheon with 23, mostly concentrated in the metropolitan area.

Deputy Director Kwon said, "I mentioned that rapid containment of community infection is important after the occurrence of club-related confirmed cases," adding, "Fortunately, explosive outbreaks have not been observed so far. This is because local governments in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon are making desperate efforts to conduct extensive diagnostic testing and to verify and take measures on the movements of confirmed patients after visiting clubs." He also added that in the case of the Hongdae pub infection, a connection with Itaewon clubs and others was found, confirming it is not a separate transmission route.

Furthermore, it was confirmed that a significant number of those subject to testing related to Itaewon clubs and others have undergone testing. He said, "As of 6 p.m. on the 15th, 56,239 people have been tested in relation to Itaewon clubs and others, an increase of about 10,000 compared to the previous day," adding, "It is estimated that many of the tracked individuals, including those from nine locations such as Itaewon clubs, have been tested."

However, as seen in club infections, complacency is forbidden, and if one is not always cautious, it can lead to group infections. Deputy Director Kwon warned, "The government and others are making every effort in early response to reduce the speed and scale of the spread," emphasizing, "Since May 2, anyone who has visited clubs or entertainment establishments, or visited any of the nine repeatedly exposed locations including Itaewon clubs, or contacted acquaintances who visited these places, should promptly undergo diagnostic testing." He also urged full cooperation with epidemiological investigations and stated that any attempts at falsehood, concealment, or evasion will be dealt with strictly.

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