"Logistics Center, Increased Transmission Risk During Meals and Smoking" ... Virus Also Detected on Hats and Shoes (Comprehensive)

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Regular Briefing
As of 11 a.m. on the 28th, a total of 82 cases... 63 employees and 19 contacts
"Easier to identify test subjects than Itaewon clubs"

Coupang Bucheon Logistics Center, Ojeong-dong, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Daeyeol] The number of confirmed cases related to the Coupang logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, has exceeded 80 in just five days. The virus was detected even on hats and shoes worn by employees working on site, confirming that a significant number of employees were exposed to the source of infection, indicating a high possibility of further increase in cases.

According to the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 28th, as of 11 a.m., the total number of confirmed cases was 82. This is an increase of 46 cases compared to about a day earlier, with 63 employees of the logistics center and 19 contacts. By region, there are 38 cases in Incheon, 27 in Bucheon and other parts of Gyeonggi Province, and 17 in Seoul. A family in Gimpo was also confirmed positive. It has been confirmed that a large-scale cluster infection occurred in less than five days since the first case was identified on the 23rd.

The first confirmed patient related to this workplace had attended a first birthday party held at Raon Party in Bucheon on the 9th of this month, then worked at the logistics center on the 12th. Symptoms appeared the next day, and the patient was confirmed positive nearly ten days later. The Bucheon Raon Party cluster infection is linked to an Incheon academy instructor who had visited Itaewon clubs, but the health authorities have not yet clearly determined whether the Bucheon Coupang logistics center cluster is related to the Itaewon club cluster.

At the regular briefing on the same day, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "Testing is almost complete, but we believe the scale of infection may increase further," adding, "However, it is relatively easier to identify and isolate test subjects compared to the previous Itaewon club case."

"Blind spots in quarantine rules, high possibility of transmission during meals and smoking"
Virus detected on employees' hats and workplace shoes

On the afternoon of the 28th, when confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to the Coupang logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, were rapidly increasing, a clinic official at the Bucheon City Health Center screening clinic in Jung-dong, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, checked the fever status of a citizen waiting for testing.

Although it is unclear how the virus initially spread within the workplace, authorities estimate that it spread widely in blind spots of quarantine rules. Even after transitioning to a social distancing system known as "everyday quarantine," which emphasizes distancing, mask-wearing, and personal hygiene, the virus likely spread in spaces or situations where these measures were not properly followed.

Deputy Director Kwon said, "It is currently understood that there was a very high possibility that sufficient distancing and everyday quarantine rules were not followed during meals in the cafeteria and smoking in the smoking room," adding, "We believe the infection route likely involved transmission in such blind spots of everyday quarantine rules."

Environmental samples were collected and tested from areas presumed to be where many patients stayed, and the health authorities confirmed that coronavirus was detected on hats worn by employees and shoes inside the workplace. This means that many employees or visitors who were already in the facility were likely exposed to the source of infection.

Deputy Director Kwon urged, "Please wear masks when using shared spaces such as indoor lounges and changing rooms within the workplace, and avoid multiple people using them at the same time," adding, "Use of smoking rooms is prohibited, and even if smoking, please use authorized outdoor areas. Also, please provide hand sanitizers on buses and frequently disinfect handrails."

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