Authorities: "Samsung Hospital Cluster Infection Possibly Spread Through Shared Spaces and Operating Rooms" (Update)

On the 19th, four nurses at Samsung Seoul Hospital tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), leading to the temporary closure of 25 operating rooms within Samsung Hospital. On this day, Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Regarding the fact that four nurses at Samsung Seoul Hospital contracted the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), health authorities believe there is a possibility that the virus spread through shared spaces such as break rooms and changing rooms within the hospital. They also considered the possibility that the infection was transmitted from patients during surgical procedures.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, stated at a briefing on the 20th, "The four nurses who have tested positive so far worked in the same surgical zone, which is a spatial characteristic," adding, "We are investigating the infection routes by examining their common movement paths and considering various possibilities."

According to health authorities, one nurse at Samsung Seoul Hospital was confirmed positive on the 18th, followed by three more the next day, totaling four infections so far. The health authorities and local governments conducted emergency disinfection of the hospital and closed the surgical area on the 3rd floor of the main building (which includes 25 operating rooms, lounges, changing rooms, etc.).

All contacts and individuals under active monitoring identified during the epidemiological investigation underwent testing. Among 124 contacts, quarantine measures were implemented either as self-isolation or single-room isolation. Out of a total of 1,207 people tested, excluding eight discharged patients, 1,199 were tested. As of noon on the day, 641 test results have come back negative. The remaining 555 are awaiting results. Except for the four nurses, no additional confirmed cases have been reported so far.

Director Jung estimated, "One of the confirmed nurses may have been infected externally and then transmitted the virus through shared spaces such as the nurses’ office, break rooms, or changing rooms," adding, "Alternatively, infection may have occurred through a patient who underwent surgery in the same surgical zone."

So far, no connection with the Itaewon clubs has been confirmed. It has been verified that the nurses did not directly visit the clubs, but the possibility of infection through club visitors or their contacts cannot be ruled out, so further epidemiological investigation results need to be observed," Director Jung conveyed.

Outside the hospital, a person in their 20s working at a public institution in Seosan, Chungnam, who is an acquaintance of the first confirmed nurse, tested positive on the same day. Regarding the temporal relationship between the Seosan patient and the nurse, Director Jung said, "There is no information yet on the chronological order or common exposure source," adding, "We will inform once the investigation results are available."

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