Hongcheon Confirmed Case, Multiple Contacts at Hospital and Funeral Hall... Poor Mask Usage Observed

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] On the 29th, a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province. As the second confirmed case in the area, the patient visited a hospital, a funeral hall, and other regions, coming into contact with many people, raising concerns among health authorities about further transmission.

According to Hongcheon County, a man in his 60s, Mr. A, residing in Seoseok-myeon, tested positive for COVID-19 on the morning of the same day. This is the second confirmed case in Hongcheon following the first case reported on the 22nd.

Mr. A had his specimen collected at the screening clinic of Hongcheon Asan Hospital on the 28th, and it was confirmed that he had visited the hospital even before the specimen collection. Authorities have closed part of the hospital and conducted disinfection.

Mr. A’s movement path is considerable, and it is known that he usually did not wear a mask properly, so the possibility of further transmission cannot be ruled out. He visited the township office on the 21st, Hongcheon Asan Hospital on the 24th, S Clinic on the 25th, and also traveled to Pyeongchang and Chuncheon on the 26th and 27th.

He was confirmed to have visited and stayed at Seoseok Funeral Hall on the 18th (from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and from the 28th to the 29th, coming into contact with many residents. Health authorities have set up a temporary screening clinic at the Seoseok Township Office and are urging residents who overlapped with Mr. A’s movement path to undergo COVID-19 specimen testing.

Authorities are also identifying Mr. A’s exact movement path through closed-circuit television (CCTV) and credit card usage records.

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