Itaewon Club COVID-19 Infections: More Contacts Than Visitors (Update)

On the 14th, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to Itaewon clubs increases, a citizen waiting for a COVID-19 diagnostic test at the screening clinic of Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul is reading a notice about penalties for violating self-quarantine rules. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to clubs in Itaewon, Seoul, has increased to 187. Secondary and subsequent infections from contact with visitors have outnumbered those infected directly after visiting clubs in the Itaewon area.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters on the 19th, from midnight to noon on that day, 12 additional confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs were identified, bringing the cumulative total to 187. Epidemiological investigations so far show that among the confirmed cases, 93 people visited the clubs, and 94 are secondary or further infection cases involving family members, acquaintances, or colleagues who had contact with them. The number of confirmed cases through contact has surpassed that of club visitors.

By age group, those aged 19 to 29 were the largest at 111. There were 20 cases under 8 years old, 27 in their 30s, 13 in their 40s, 7 in their 50s, and 9 aged 60 and above. By region, most cases were in the metropolitan area: 97 in Seoul, 37 in Gyeonggi, and 33 in Incheon. Among the 9 cases in Chungbuk, 8 are related to the Army Cadet Military School in Goesan, Chungbuk, a military quarantine facility. There were 4 cases in Busan, 2 in Jeonbuk, and one each in Daejeon, Chungnam, Gyeongnam, Gangwon, and Jeju. By gender, 150 were male and 37 female.

At a briefing that day, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said, "Those who visited clubs, pubs, etc., in Itaewon, Seoul, until the 6th are requested to refrain from going out, stay at home, and contact their local health center or 1339 to visit a screening clinic for diagnostic testing regardless of symptoms."

Additionally, caution was urged regarding 'Top Coin Noraebang' in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, where additional confirmed cases have been reported after a recent COVID-19 positive individual visited. The building name 'Vision Plaza' where the facility is located was disclosed, and those who used the karaoke room, Jin PC Bang on the 11th floor, or the elevator between 3 p.m. and midnight on the 6th were requested to undergo diagnostic testing.

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