End of Itaewon Club Incubation Period... Karaoke and Pubs Continue Nth Wave Infections (Update)

On the 17th, officials from Jung-gu Office in Seoul and staff from Gwanghui-dong Resident Autonomy Center were disinfecting commercial facilities in the area, including a karaoke room.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] 'Nth infection' cases mediated by patients infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) originating from Itaewon clubs in Seoul are occurring one after another.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of the 21st, the total number of confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs has increased to 206.

On the 21st, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), stated at a regular briefing held at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, "As of noon today, the number of confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs is 206," adding, "By region, Seoul has the highest number with 101 cases, and by infection route, 95 confirmed cases directly visited the clubs, and 111 are contacts."

By age group, those aged 19 to 29 were the most numerous with 118 cases. Next were people in their 30s with 29 cases, under 18 with 25 cases, 40s with 17 cases, 60 and over with 9 cases, and 50s with 8 cases.

By gender, males numbered 165, which was more than females (41).

In particular, in Incheon, confirmed cases mediated by coin karaoke rooms have been reported continuously. Accordingly, Incheon restricted the operation of about 100 coin karaoke rooms in the area for two weeks starting from this day.

Additionally, measures were taken to control the entry of minors to about 2,000 singing practice rooms.

At a regular briefing held on the 20th at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, Jeong Eun-kyung, Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, explained the trend of domestic patient occurrence, stating, "In Incheon, transmission related to clubs is spreading to coin karaoke rooms, PC rooms, taxi passengers, and others."

Director Jeong urged, "Students and staff who visited Vision Plaza in Michuhol-gu, Seoul Fitness Incheon branch in Yeonsu-gu, and Seum Academy in Michuhol-gu between the 6th and 19th of this month should get tested for COVID-19 at the nearest screening clinic."

Director Jeong said, "The aftermath of cluster infections that started in entertainment facilities is occurring in the community mediated by pubs, companies, coin karaoke rooms, taxis, etc., and sporadic infection cases continue in medical institutions and communities."

She added, "This still means that there are sources of infection causing silent transmission in the community," emphasizing, "It is a situation where we cannot afford to be careless at all in responding to COVID-19."

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