[Deputy Director's Column] Incheon Engulfed by COVID-19 Originating from Academy Instructors

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) 'n-th infection' that started with an Incheon academy instructor confirmed positive after visiting Itaewon clubs is spreading uncontrollably. As 5th and 6th infection cases continue to emerge, as of the morning of the 26th, there are 55 confirmed cases originating from the academy instructor.

Initially, the infection spread through the academy where the instructor worked and a coin karaoke room visited by his student, then extended to a buffet-style restaurant in Bucheon where a first birthday party was held. Confirmed cases are appearing in various places including Incheon, Bucheon, Goyang, and Siheung cities in Gyeonggi Province, as well as Jungnang, Gwanak, Seongdong, and Gwangjin districts in Seoul. The infection is spreading at a frightening speed, involving a family of five including the one-year-old child who had the first birthday party, guests and their families, coworkers, and even those who came into contact at restaurants visited by coworkers.

Incheon City, which had initially succeeded in blocking infections from overseas entrants during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, is now bewildered by the spread of community infections transmitted by the academy instructor. About one-third of the total 147 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Incheon have been traced back to the academy instructor.

Among these are high school students infected at karaoke rooms and PC rooms, leading to an incident on the first day of school reopening for 3rd-year high school students on the 20th, where all 3rd-year students from 66 schools in Incheon attended school but were sent home. Given the situation, Incheon City extended the ban on gatherings at entertainment establishments including karaoke rooms used by minors, nightclubs, and hostess bars from the original end date of the 24th to the 7th of next month. The period for compliance orders on academies, PC rooms, and indoor sports facilities was also extended.

Although these administrative measures are unavoidable to prevent silent transmission in multi-use facilities, business owners who must suspend operations again inevitably express dissatisfaction. Citizens who have quietly adhered to social distancing and other quarantine rules for months are also feeling discouraged. Particularly, citizens are angry because the academy instructor lied about his occupation and movements during the epidemiological investigation, preventing contacts from being quarantined in advance and exposing the community directly.

He is presumed to have been infected by someone after visiting Itaewon clubs, but by obstructing the epidemiological investigation with false statements and spreading the infection to over 50 people, he has no grounds for defense. Currently, Incheon City has reported the academy instructor to the police on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act.

Some argue that, even for the sake of national vigilance, active claims for damages and recourse should be pursued against the academy instructor. As one person's carelessness and lies have shaken the community, Incheon citizens are so angry that extreme voices demanding the disclosure of his identity have also emerged.

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