"Low Possibility of Ventilation Ducts" ... Guro-gu Apartment Cluster Infection Remains 'Unclear' (Comprehensive)

Considering Virus Survival Period and Incubation... Recent Non-Detection Does Not Allow Definitive Conclusion of Impossibility

On the 28th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) worsened, a notice related to the numerous confirmed cases was posted in a corridor-style apartment in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Efforts to determine the transmission route of the COVID-19 cluster infection that occurred in an apartment in Guro-gu, Seoul are facing difficulties. Although the possibility of virus transmission through ventilation ducts was considered, it has been found to be unlikely for now. Investigations into the elevators are also underway.

Guro-gu is focusing on the fact that additional confirmed cases have emerged on different floors of a neighboring line, not the apartment line where the 8 confirmed cases reside. Initially, when confirmed cases appeared in the same line, attention was concentrated on the possibility of infection through ventilation ducts as a unique point.

However, on the 26th, two newly confirmed residents were found in units far apart within the same building, and since they live next door to existing confirmed cases, the possibility of infection through elevator use rather than ventilation ducts is being examined. On the 27th, it was revealed that no COVID-19 virus was detected in samples collected from the ventilation ducts of five units where confirmed cases were found.

This apartment is a corridor-style building with a 'ㄷ'-shaped structure, housing about 20 households per floor. There are two elevators operating at the corners where the corridors bend, and since the two lines where confirmed cases reside are concentrated on one side, it is highly likely that they used the same elevator.

However, considering the virus survival period and incubation period, it is difficult to conclude that transmission through ventilation ducts is impossible just because the virus was not detected in the ducts over the past 2-3 days. Additionally, public concern about the possibility of infection through apartment ventilation ducts is increasing, and it is necessary to clarify the exact cause to prevent similar infection cases.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is currently conducting a joint investigation with epidemiology, architecture, and equipment experts at this apartment. As of midnight on the 28th, a total of 32 people, including apartment residents and coworkers who had contact with residents, have been confirmed positive.

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