54 Confirmed Cases in Gyeongnam in August Alone... Investigation of Sarang Jeil Church Visitors Completed

Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Kim Kyung-soo is giving a briefing on the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). (Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kang Sharon] On the 26th, in Gyeongnam where 10 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 occurred in a single day, concerns about community transmission are spreading.

In a COVID-19 briefing that day, Gyeongnam Province announced that a total of 54 confirmed cases occurred in August alone, of which 42 were community infections and 12 were caused by overseas arrivals.

Community infections include 9 related to the Seoul metropolitan area, 9 related to the Gwanghwamun rally, 7 from contact with confirmed cases in other regions, and 1 who visited the Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul.

Regarding participants of the Gwanghwamun rally on Liberation Day, a total of 1,560 people have been tested so far.

The province independently identified 1,290 rally participants through bus companies, but the number of tests conducted was much higher than this.

The total testing rate was 120.9%.

The province explained that this was thanks to 200 to 300 people who participated individually, not by bus, voluntarily undergoing testing.

The investigation of 54 visitors to Sarang Jeil Church has also been completed.

After checking GPS location information, the province explained that the two people who had refused testing so far were confirmed to have never visited Sarang Jeil Church.

Accordingly, among those related to Sarang Jeil Church visitors, only one man in his 20s from Gimhae (the 200th confirmed case) tested positive, while the rest were negative.

The province added that among the list of Gwanghwamun rally participants notified by the Central Disease Control Headquarters, those refusing testing are being investigated by the police for confirmation.

Governor Kim Kyung-soo said, "In areas where community infections occurred in August, additional confirmed cases continue to arise, making this week a critical turning point to prevent the spread of COVID-19," and requested "the cooperation of residents for effective quarantine."

He also stated, "To block large-scale infection spread, we will promote mandatory mask-wearing," and added, "We will carefully review the scope and locations for mandatory mask-wearing to ensure the policy is effective, and will implement an administrative order accordingly."

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