Authorities: "Seoul Wangseong Church Cluster Outbreak, High Possibility of Spread at Daebudo MT" (Update)

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Regular Briefing
First Confirmed Case, Choir Practice, Daebudo MT, Worship Service

On the 26th, congregants lined up in a long queue to receive specimen collection at a temporary screening clinic set up at Wangseong Church in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, where a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) case was confirmed.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As of noon on the 26th, a total of 12 people have tested positive in a cluster outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to Wangseong Church in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. The health authorities are conducting an epidemiological investigation, considering it highly likely that the infection spread through a church MT (membership training) held over two days starting from the 19th.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, the index patient related to this cluster participated in choir practice at the church on the 18th and attended the church MT at Daebu Island from the 19th to the 20th. The patient then attended church service the very next day, on the 21st. There are 20 choir members, and the same number attended the MT together. For the service, attendance was staggered to reduce crowding, and the index patient attended the 4th service.

By event, eight people, including the index patient, were infected in the group that attended the MT. Among the choir members, three tested positive, and one person was confirmed positive from the service. It has not yet been determined whether the index patient was infected outside and then spread the virus within this group or was infected by another confirmed case. The index patient began showing symptoms on the 22nd and was confirmed positive on the 24th.

The health authorities are focusing on the MT as the likely source of the cluster infection and are continuing the epidemiological investigation. Although the choir practice occurred earlier in time, considering symptoms and other factors, the MT is judged to be the more probable source. Most choir members who participated in the practice on the 18th also attended the service on the 21st. It was reported that most churchgoers wore masks during the service, but compliance with quarantine rules will need to be further verified through CCTV and other means.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "Among the 12 confirmed cases so far, 11 attended choir practice, choir rehearsals, or the church MT. Only one person was confirmed positive from attending the service, and it appears that this church implemented measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing during the service."

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