197 New COVID-19 Cases, 188 Locally Transmitted... Continued Infections Through Churches

Seoul 90 People, Gyeonggi 70 People, Busan-Incheon-Gwangju 7 People Each, Chungnam 4 People, Chungbuk 3 People, etc.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads in the Seoul metropolitan area, the number of new confirmed cases has approached 200. The number has recorded three digits for four consecutive days since the 14th.

In particular, infections continue at metropolitan area churches such as Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and Woori Jeil Church in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province. Additionally, sporadic infections have appeared in various places, including a gold investment company in Seoul, Starbucks in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, and a family in Busan, raising concerns about further spread.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, 197 new domestic COVID-19 cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 15,515.

Of the 197 new confirmed cases, 188 are locally transmitted infections, excluding 9 cases imported from overseas.

Breaking down the locally transmitted cases by region, Seoul reported 89 cases, Gyeonggi Province 67 cases, totaling 156 cases from these two areas alone. Other cases include 7 each in Busan, Incheon, and Gwangju; 3 in Chungnam; 2 each in Daejeon and Chungbuk; and 1 each in Daegu, Gangwon, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk.

In the metropolitan area, confirmed cases are rapidly increasing, centered around churches.

According to health authorities, as of noon the previous day, the number of confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul increased by more than 100, reaching a cumulative total of 249. This is the third-largest cluster infection case in the country, following the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu (5,214 cases) and the Itaewon clubs in Seoul (277 cases).

At Woori Jeil Church in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, 21 additional church members and contacts tested positive, bringing the total number of patients to 126. In Seoul's Yangcheon-gu, three more cases were added at Doesaegim Church, increasing the cumulative confirmed cases to 7.

Elsewhere, infection transmission cases continued in various locations such as village gatherings in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, Starbucks near Yadang Station in Paju, high schools in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province and Busan, and a singing hall in Gwangju.

Among the 9 imported cases, 2 were identified during quarantine upon entry. The remaining 7 tested positive while in self-quarantine at their residences or temporary living facilities in Gyeonggi (3), Seoul, Chungbuk, Chungnam, and Gyeongbuk (1 each).

Combining local transmissions and imported cases (excluding quarantine), Seoul reported 90 cases, Gyeonggi 70, and Incheon 7, totaling 167 cases in the metropolitan area alone, accounting for 84.8% of all new confirmed cases. Cases were reported in 12 cities and provinces nationwide.

Meanwhile, the death toll remained unchanged at 305.

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