COVID-19 Case No. 53 in Jeonbuk (Iksan Case No. 5) Originating from the Seoul Metropolitan Area

Emergency Measures to Prevent Spread in Jeonbuk Province Amid Movement Between Seoul, Iksan, and Jeonju

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hong Jaehee] A man in his 30s living in Jeonbuk who had visited Seoul has tested positive for COVID-19 again, raising alarms over the prevention of local infection spread.

According to Iksan City and health authorities on the 19th, Mr. A, residing in Iksan, was confirmed positive for COVID-19 around 10 p.m. the previous day and was classified as the 53rd confirmed case in the province (5th in Iksan).

Mr. A, who works in Iksan, lives in Namjung-dong, Iksan as a weekend commuter, while his wife and children reside in Guro-gu, Seoul.

It was also identified that Mr. A’s parents run a pioneering church in Mohyeon-dong, Iksan.

Mr. A stayed at his home in Seoul from the 7th to the 13th and returned to his Iksan residence around 1 a.m. on the 14th.

The next day, the 15th, Mr. A spent time at Jeonju Zoo from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. with his son, older brother (residing in Gurye, Jeonnam), and two nephews.

Afterward, Mr. A had lunch at a restaurant in Songcheon-dong, Jeonju, then returned to Iksan and climbed Baesan with his son from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

On the same day, between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., he spent time with relatives including his parents, older brother, and two nephews at the church run by his parents.

The following day, the 16th, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., he held a meeting with eight family members (four from Iksan, one from Seoul, three from Gokseong) at his parents’ pioneering church, then traveled to Seoul by car around 4 p.m.

On the 17th at 7:40 p.m., Mr. A returned to Iksan from Yongsan by KTX train.

Subsequently, on the 18th around 10:30 a.m., experiencing symptoms such as headache and muscle pain, he underwent specimen testing at the Iksan Health Center screening clinic and was confirmed positive around 10 p.m.

It was identified that Mr. A first showed symptoms on the 15th and had worn a mask and used his own car. He is currently receiving treatment at Gunsan Medical Center.

Jung Heon-yul, mayor of Iksan, stated at a press conference, “To alleviate citizens’ anxiety and prevent secondary infections, the results of epidemiological investigations that are additionally confirmed will be shared regularly through disaster safety messages and official SNS.” He added, “We will respond more strongly and meticulously to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the region and ensure the safety of citizens.”

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