CDCHQ "Desperate Crisis Situation... Please Refrain from Going Out for 2 Weeks" (Update)

In June, Kim Kang-rip, the First Senior Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), held a regular briefing on the novel coronavirus infection at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Cheongju, Chungbuk. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Juhee] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is rapidly spreading mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, the government has requested "to refrain from going out for the next two weeks."

Kim Kang-rip, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), said at a COVID-19 briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex on the morning of the 19th, "I believe this week is a critical turning point to decide whether a large-scale outbreak will spread nationwide or can be controlled."

Coordinator Kim said, "In the Seoul metropolitan area, it is a life-or-death crisis situation where there is a risk of being infected with COVID-19 anytime and anywhere," and "Residents of the metropolitan area are asked to stay at home for the next two weeks except for essential outings such as commuting, purchasing daily necessities, and visiting hospitals."

He added, "The government will do its best to block the spread by mobilizing all resources and capabilities it has."

According to the quarantine authorities, as of midnight on that day, there were 283 new confirmed cases in the country, of which 89% (252 cases) occurred in the metropolitan area. About 140 confirmed cases were related to Sarang Jeil Church, accounting for about half of the new confirmed cases.

As of that day, 3,275 people had been tested for COVID-19 related to Sarang Jeil Church, and about 17% (568 people) of them were confirmed positive.

The quarantine authorities stated that they are cooperating with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the National Police Agency, and others to verify the identities of about 600 people whose identities have not been confirmed on the list.

They also said that they are in the process of securing the list of attendees at the Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun rallies held on the 8th and 15th, respectively, with the cooperation of mobile carriers and others.

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