7 out of 10 confirmed cases related to door-to-door sales are 'middle-aged and older adults'

7 Dead, 24 in Critical and Severe Condition

On the 8th, at the screening clinic set up at Gwanak-gu Public Health Center in Seoul, citizens are waiting to get tested as secondary infections related to Richway, a multi-level marketing company selling health products for the elderly, continue to spread. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] More than 70% of the 10 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) originating from door-to-door sales companies are people aged 50 and older.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters at the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a regular briefing held on the 20th at the Osong CDC in Chungbuk, "Although domestic cluster outbreaks are decreasing, small-scale transmissions continue to occur mainly in the metropolitan area and Honam region centered around door-to-door sales and nursing homes."

Looking at confirmed cases by age group over the past two weeks, the proportion of people in their 20s-30s and those aged 60 and above has decreased, while cases among people in their 40s-50s have slightly increased due to continuous infections through door-to-door sales and similar activities.

The current status of major domestic door-to-door sales cases is as follows: ▲ Gwanak door-to-door sales (Richway) 210 cases ▲ Metropolitan area door-to-door sales 44 cases ▲ Daejeon door-to-door sales 87 cases ▲ Gwangju door-to-door sales 147 cases.

The total number of confirmed cases is 488, of which 358 (73.4%) are aged 50 and above. There are 24 severe or critical patients and 7 deaths.

The health authorities urged people to refrain from visits related to door-to-door sales to block domestic transmission.

Head Jung emphasized, "In the case of door-to-door sales, there is a high risk of infection because long hours of close conversations take place through small-scale presentations and product experience events conducted via home visits and officetels," adding, "Middle-aged and elderly people, especially seniors, should avoid attending meetings and events related to door-to-door sales."

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