"Love First Church and Gwangbokjeol Rally-Related Mass Infection, Now Intensifying"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) intensifies in South Korea, the government warned on the 21st that the cluster infections originating from Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and the Liberation Day rallies will soon become full-scale.

Kim Kang-lip, the first chief coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), said at the regular briefing on the day, "We are currently at a critical point where a large-scale outbreak could suddenly unfold."

Kim said, "Considering the incubation and generation periods, the cluster infections continuing from Sarang Jeil Church and the Liberation Day rallies will now become full-scale," but added, "The effect of suppressing the spread due to the elevation to social distancing level 2, which has been in effect since the 15th, will also appear from this weekend."

He continued, "From now on, the pattern of the outbreak after this week will be determined by how thoroughly social distancing is observed and how quickly contact tracing is conducted," and urged, "Especially residents of the Seoul metropolitan area, please do not make appointments or go out this weekend and stay safely at home."

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, was 739 as of 6 p.m. the previous day. The cumulative number of confirmed cases related to the large-scale rally held in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 15th was 60 as of noon the previous day.

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