Metropolitan Area Cluster Infections, Patients Steadily Increasing... Table Tennis Hall 51 Cases, Richway 68 Cases (Update)

On the 8th, Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, was bustling with medical staff conducting COVID-19 screening tests as Seoul City began offering free proactive COVID-19 testing for the general public to prevent community outbreaks caused by asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers. This measure by Seoul City aims to identify 'silent spreaders' through active proactive testing amid increasing sporadic infections with unclear transmission routes, including asymptomatic cases. After applying through the Seoul City website, individuals can visit designated municipal hospitals to receive free testing. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Eight additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 related to the door-to-door sales company Richway in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, have been reported, bringing the total number of patients linked to this facility to 68. Among those infected, 35 people contracted the virus through contact before the confirmed cases were quarantined, exceeding half of the total, compared to visitors who were presumed to have been exposed to the source of infection.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 9th, six more cases were added to the cluster infection related to Keunnamu Church in Yongin, which is connected to a table tennis center in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, increasing the total to 51. A resident of a senior welfare facility in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, attended a service at Keunnamu Church on the 31st of last month and was confirmed positive on the 7th. Subsequently, all residents and staff underwent comprehensive testing to identify patients. There are 25 patients related to the Yangcheon-gu table tennis center and 26 patients linked to Keunnamu Church in Yongin.

Regarding the Itaewon club cluster, three additional contacts under management were confirmed, raising the total to 277. One more case was confirmed in connection with the Coupang logistics center cluster in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, bringing the cumulative number of patients to 139. The Pioneer Church cluster in the metropolitan area also saw one new confirmed case, totaling 88.

In relation to the KB Life Insurance telemarketing office in Jung-gu, Seoul, one employee under self-quarantine was newly confirmed, increasing the total number of confirmed cases to 13. Four additional cases were reported at the SJ Investment Company call center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, with epidemiological investigations currently underway. Additionally, five family members in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, tested positive, and contact tracing is being conducted at the elementary and middle schools attended by the children, as well as the multi-family housing where they currently reside.

Meanwhile, two more deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on the same day, bringing the total death toll to 276. Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated, "In the metropolitan area, where population density is high and there is a large floating population, COVID-19 is spreading through various venues such as religious small gatherings, clubs, and door-to-door sales, which is a concerning situation." He added, "Since infections can occur in all enclosed, crowded, and close-contact facilities, residents of the metropolitan area are urged to refrain from gatherings in poorly ventilated enclosed spaces and visits to entertainment venues and pubs."

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