COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Areas Adjacent to Gwangju... Health Authorities on Alert

1 Confirmed Case Each in Hampyeong and Yeonggwang... Classified as Jeonnam Cases 26 and 27

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Amid 75 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported over nine days since the 27th of last month in the Gwangju area, confirmed cases have also emerged in the neighboring regions of Yeonggwang and Hampyeong, raising concerns about the spread to Jeonnam.

According to Jeonnam Province on the 5th, at around 2:30 a.m. that day, a man in his 20s, Mr. A, residing in Bulgap-myeon, Yeonggwang-gun, tested positive for COVID-19 and was classified as Jeonnam case number 27. It was confirmed that he had contact with Gwangju case number 61.

Mr. A initially tested ‘positive’ at a private entrusted institution on the 3rd, and for a more accurate diagnosis, a retest was conducted by the Jeonnam Provincial Institute of Health and Environment, which confirmed the final ‘positive’ result. He was then transferred to Gangjin Medical Center.

The Jeonnam epidemiological investigation team is conducting tests on Mr. A’s primary close contacts, including his parents, maternal grandparents, a friend of his parents, and one counseling teacher at Yeonggwang Technical High School. Additionally, 10 individuals identified as secondary close contacts have been placed under self-quarantine and had specimens collected.

So far, Mr. A’s confirmed movement history includes: on the 1st, Yeonggwang Technical High School (8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.), Yeonggwang Water and Sewage Business Office (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.), Dream Fitness Gym (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.), Sports Park (3 p.m. to 3:10 p.m.), and his father’s friend’s house in Bulgap-myeon (3:10 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

On the 2nd, he visited his maternal grandmother’s house in Gunnam (9 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.), Dream Fitness Gym again (11:20 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.), Home Mart (1:15 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.), Nonghyup Dongbu Branch ATM (1:20 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.), Bonggus Bab Burger in Yeonggwang-eup (1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.), and Manrep PC Bang (1:50 p.m. to 3:55 p.m.).

On the 3rd, he underwent his first test at the Yeonggwang County Health Center screening clinic at 10 a.m. and then self-quarantined.

Earlier, on the 4th, a woman in her 50s, Ms. B, working at the Korea Electric Power Corporation Hampyeong branch, tested positive for COVID-19 and was classified as Jeonnam case number 26.

The county immediately conducted emergency disinfection of the facility, placed all employees who worked with Ms. B under self-quarantine, and temporarily closed the building.

Ms. B, residing in Nampyeong-eup, Naju-si, reported COVID-19 prodromal symptoms such as cough, fever, and muscle pain on the 1st and visited the Hampyeong County screening clinic on the morning of the 3rd.

The county requested a primary test from a private testing institution (Samgwang Medical Foundation) for Ms. B’s specimen, and upon receiving a positive result the next day, immediately notified Naju City and transferred her to Gangjin Medical Center for isolation.

Ms. B was finally classified as Jeonnam case number 26 after also testing positive in a secondary test conducted by the Jeonnam Provincial Institute of Health and Environment, which was additionally requested by Naju City.

Ms. B, who had no underlying health conditions, is currently reported to be in relatively good condition.

Her confirmed movement history includes the Korea Electric Power Corporation Hampyeong branch and: June 29, Gwangju Sangmu District Golf Academy; June 30, Naju Nampyeong Farmers Market Riverside Branch, Nampyeong Jeil Laundry, Nampyeong Seongmo Pharmacy; July 1, Hampyeong Yeomso Rang Dakirang Restaurant; July 2, Hampyeong 5-Day Market.

The county is accurately identifying close contacts and detailed movement routes based on the statements of confirmed cases, CCTV footage, mobile phone GPS data, and credit card usage records.

As confirmed cases have emerged in areas adjacent to Gwangju, where the spread is severe, tension is rising in the Jeonnam region as well.

A Jeonnam official stated, “It is essential to strictly follow personal quarantine rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” and added, “If your movement overlaps with or is considered risky in relation to the confirmed cases in Gwangju, please contact the health center immediately.”

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