15 New Confirmed Cases Including 13 from Sarang Jeil Church in Incheon... Total 425 Cases

Including Worship Attendees and Family Contacts... Total of 23 Confirmed Cases Related to Sarang Jeil Church

On the morning of the 17th, a press conference regarding the accusation of Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon by the Seoul Metropolitan Government is being held near Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly spread nationwide, 15 additional infections were reported in Incheon, including 13 confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

Incheon City announced on the 17th that as of noon that day, 15 residents of Incheon aged between 30 and 70, including Mr. A (49), tested positive for COVID-19.

By region, there were 4 cases in Gyeyang-gu, 3 in Michuhol-gu, 3 in Dong-gu, 3 in Namdong-gu, 1 in Seo-gu, and 1 in Ganghwa-gun.

Among them, 13 were classified as confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where a cluster infection occurred. This includes not only those who directly attended worship services at Sarang Jeil Church but also secondary infections such as mothers and children who had contact with them.

One confirmed case residing in Gyeyang-gu (60s) tested positive after learning that an employee at another company in a building where he works in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, was infected in connection with Sarang Jeil Church and undergoing testing. The other two confirmed cases in Namdong-gu are a couple in their 60s identified as contacts of previously confirmed COVID-19 patients.

Health authorities are transferring confirmed patients to Gachon University Gil Medical Center and Incheon Medical Center and conducting epidemiological investigations into their movement paths.

As of today, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Incheon area is 425, with 23 cases related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu.

Meanwhile, Incheon City is implementing its own level 2 social distancing measures until the 23rd to align with the elevation of social distancing to level 2 in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas.

The city has issued a gathering restriction order for all religious facilities until the 23rd, banning in-person meetings, events, food provision, and group meals except for regular worship services, masses, and Buddhist ceremonies.

Multi-use facilities are required to comply with existing quarantine rules, and from the 19th, PC rooms will be additionally designated as high-risk facilities. The reopening of social welfare facilities will be delayed or adjusted, and quarantine management for multi-use facilities will be strengthened.

All gatherings and events with more than 50 people indoors or 100 people outdoors are advised to be refrained from, and professional sports games such as baseball and soccer will be held without spectators until the 23rd. Incheon Grand Park and Wolmi Park will suspend operations until the 23rd, except for some outdoor areas.

Additionally, through each district and county, daycare centers are being advised to close until the 30th of this month, while kindergartens and elementary and middle schools will maintain student density at one-third of the total students, and high schools at two-thirds, until the 11th of next month.

An Incheon City official stated, "Given the very serious trend of COVID-19 spread in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, we are doing our best to prevent the spread in Incheon as well," adding, "We plan to review additional measures depending on the COVID-19 situation."

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