"Itaewon-Originated Cluster Infection, Started at a Gathering in Late April"(Update)

Regarding Sexual Minority Issues: "Under Investigation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The quarantine authorities stated on the 18th that the initial source of the cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) originating from Itaewon clubs is believed to be a gathering of infected individuals at the end of last month.

Park Young-jun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held on the 18th at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Osong, Chungbuk, "It is believed that the infection occurred through a gathering of initial patients at the end of April, and then spread through entertainment establishments in Itaewon."

Park explained, "Since many club visitors came on May 1st and 2nd, the infection was first recognized around the 6th or 7th through them, but the start likely occurred earlier than that."

However, the quarantine authorities refrained from answering whether the gathering was related to the LGBTQ community. Director Jung Eun-kyeong said, "Since the investigation is currently ongoing, we will disclose the infection route once the exact facts are confirmed."

Regarding the size of the gathering, she added, "There is a list of who entered and when by time slot, but it is difficult to specify the exact time. We will reveal the scale once it is determined."

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