15 People Infected in Group at Church in Namdong-gu, Incheon... Infection Route Under Investigation

Incheon City Issues Administrative Order Mandating Mask Wearing

Fifteen COVID-19 cases were confirmed at a church in Namdong-gu, Incheon, prompting the Incheon city government to conduct an epidemiological investigation.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] A cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred at a pioneering church in Incheon, prompting health authorities to conduct an epidemiological investigation.

According to Incheon City on the 20th, 15 church members including a man in his 30s, A, tested positive for COVID-19 at 'Yeolmaemaenneun Church' in Nonhyeon-dong, Namdong-gu.

It was confirmed that A and others had prolonged contact on the 16th at a church small group meeting with B (24, female, Incheon patient No. 453), who was diagnosed positive the day before. They reportedly held a separate small group meeting after the main worship service.

B began experiencing symptoms such as sore throat and headache on the 18th and tested positive at a screening clinic in a hospital in Namdong-gu on the 19th. Incheon City conducted tests on B’s three family members and placed them under self-quarantine.

Among the 15 confirmed cases, one is from Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, two from Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, and one from Michuhol-gu, with the rest residing in Namdong-gu. Their occupations vary, including piano instructor, military officer, driver, self-employed, and office worker.

After B was confirmed positive, Incheon City conducted mass testing of 85 church members and identified 14 additional confirmed cases as of today.

The city is disinfecting the residential areas of the confirmed patients and conducting epidemiological investigations into their movement paths and contacts.

The church where the cluster infection occurred has been closed, and a walk-through testing site has been set up in the 10-story building housing the church, where visitors and residents are being tested.

Park Namchun, Mayor of Incheon, said, "We have not yet identified the infection route of the confirmed cases and are conducting an in-depth epidemiological investigation," adding, "COVID-19 is spreading widely in Incheon, so we have issued an administrative order mandating mask-wearing."

According to the administrative order, masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors in Incheon. Although there is currently a grace period, starting from October 13, when the related enforcement rules take effect, a fine of 100,000 KRW will be imposed for not wearing a mask.

Incheon City also issued an administrative order on the 15th requiring diagnostic testing for attendees and visitors of the Gwanghwamun rally. Those who deliberately refuse testing may face fines up to 2 million KRW and may be subject to civil claims under the Civil Act.

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