"Itaewon-Origin Cluster Infection... Stabilization Expected if Quarantine Trend Maintained" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Park Neung-hoo, the first deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), stated on the 17th regarding the Itaewon club cluster infection, "If the current trend continues, it is analyzed that COVID-19 will stabilize within the control range of the quarantine network."

At a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office in the afternoon, Deputy Head Park said, "It seems that the speed of tracing by the quarantine network is catching up with the speed of spread."

As of midnight on the same day, the number of new patients related to the Itaewon club was 5, maintaining a single-digit figure following the previous day (5). All newly confirmed patients on this day were contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Deputy Head Park said, "Although the cluster infection that started in Itaewon caused new transmissions in many community facilities and groups, fortunately, there has been no rapid spread," adding, "The trend of patient occurrence is stabilizing."

However, the government emphasized that visitors to Itaewon during the golden holiday period should get tested, as there may still be 'silent spreaders.' Deputy Head Park said, "The possibility of silent spreaders that the quarantine authorities have not identified still remains," and urged, "If you have visited the Itaewon area and have not yet been tested, please get tested now."

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