Clubs, Logistics Centers, Churches, Restaurants... Metropolitan Area Cluster Infections, Transmission Chains Remain Unbroken (Update)

As sporadic cases of the novel coronavirus infection continue to occur, starting today, 1st-year high school students, 2nd-year middle school students, and 3rd to 4th-grade elementary school students are additionally heading to school. On the 3rd, students are seen going to school at Wolgok Elementary School in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Amid sporadic outbreaks of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Seoul and the metropolitan area, the 'link' is proving difficult to break. Confirmed cases related to the Itaewon clubs in Seoul, which surfaced in early last month, are still being reported nearly a month later, and infections continue at churches and insurance agencies.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, as of 12 PM today, the number of new confirmed cases related to the Pioneer Church in the metropolitan area increased by 10 from the previous day, bringing the total confirmed cases to 55. Incheon has the highest number with 33 cases, followed by Seoul and Gyeonggi with 13 and 9 cases respectively. In the cluster related to the KB Life Insurance telemarketing office (TM insurance agency) located in Jung-gu, Seoul, three additional cases were confirmed among those in self-quarantine, increasing the total confirmed cases to 11.

The number of confirmed cases related to the Itaewon clubs in Seoul, which is the second largest cluster after Shincheonji Church of Jesus, increased by 2 during the same period, totaling 272. Among them, 96 were infected after visiting the clubs, and 176 were infected through contact with confirmed patients. Regarding the Coupang logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, two new cases were reported in one day, raising the total confirmed cases to 119. Of these, 74 are logistics center employees and 45 are contacts. A patient suspected to be linked to the Coupang logistics center was also reported at Dongbu Church in Suwon.

On the 3rd, citizens are standing in line while maintaining social distancing at the 2020 Korea Landscape and Garden Expo held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Additionally, related to the family cluster infection in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, three more people, including those who visited the restaurant 'Ihak Galbi' where a confirmed case from the Top Real Estate Agency had been, and their family members, were confirmed, bringing the total to 15. This cluster is connected to the Yonsei Naro Academy in Yeouido, Seoul. It includes five family members, two real estate business partners and their families, two Yonsei Naro Academy students, and six contacts.

Looking at the major clusters, most confirmed cases were quickly identified by tracing those exposed to specific infection sources. However, additional infections continue to emerge steadily as ongoing contacts occur within the community. Even within the metropolitan area, confirmed cases continue to appear in clusters where contact tracing has not yet been completed, significantly increasing the number of groups under quarantine management. Especially with the start of full student attendance from today, the possibility of infection sources outside the quarantine network spreading into schools has increased, prompting health authorities to remain vigilant.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said at today's regular briefing, "Recently, COVID-19 infections have been spreading in various places such as religious small gatherings, PC rooms, and academies in the metropolitan area, where population density is high and there is a large floating population." She added, "If this spread continues, there is concern that transmission in crowded, enclosed spaces could lead to a large-scale outbreak."

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