Jeju Island "Jeju Secondary Infection... Could Have Been Prevented by Epidemiological Investigations in Seoul and Gangnam-gu" Regret (Update)

Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Hee-eun Park] Jeju Province expressed regret on the 18th regarding Seoul's explanation that the 20th confirmed COVID-19 patient in Gwangjin-gu was "not subject to self-quarantine at the time of visiting Jeju."

Jeju Province stated in a press release that "The 20th confirmed patient in Gwangjin-gu had contact with the 91st confirmed patient in Gangnam-gu before coming to Jeju. Through thorough epidemiological investigation, they should have entered self-quarantine, but due to omission in contact management by Seoul city and each district office, secondary infection occurred in Jeju."

They further emphasized, "This incident could have been prevented if the Seoul city and Gangnam-gu health authorities had conducted accurate and prompt epidemiological investigations when the 91st confirmed patient in Gangnam-gu was identified on the 13th."

According to the province, after the 20th patient in Gwangjin-gu visited Jeju, four additional confirmed cases occurred, and 118 people are currently in self-quarantine. Additionally, 856 residents of Hallim-eup, Jeju City, where the 20th patient stayed for five nights and six days, underwent COVID-19 testing.

Earlier, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong pointed out on the 17th, "Patient A, the 20th confirmed COVID-19 case, had contact with the Gangnam-gu confirmed patient at a massage shop before coming to Jeju, but was not classified as a 'self-quarantine subject' based on epidemiological investigation results," adding, "Seoul city and Gangnam-gu failed to track the movement, allowing the patient to visit Jeju."

In response, Seoul city explained, "The 20th confirmed patient in Gwangjin-gu visited Jeju before being diagnosed with COVID-19 on the 16th," and "was not subject to self-quarantine at the time of visiting Jeju."

Seoul city also stated that the reason the 20th patient in Gwangjin-gu was not classified as a self-quarantine subject was "because the 91st patient in Gangnam-gu did not disclose contact with the 20th patient in Gwangjin-gu during the epidemiological investigation."

Furthermore, Seoul city announced its plan to "file charges against the 91st patient in Gangnam-gu under Article 79 of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act."

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