103 COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Jeonnam During August

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] In the Jeonnam region, 103 confirmed cases of COVID-19 local infections were reported last month. In particular, there was a widespread spread with 102 cases concentrated from August 17 to 31 after Liberation Day.

Although the recent spread has slowed to a manageable level within the quarantine network, Jeonnam Province is tightening its quarantine measures and appealing for strict compliance with the strengthened Level 2 social distancing measures.

According to Jeonnam Province's analysis of local infection confirmed cases during August, Suncheon accounted for more than half with 60 cases by city and county, followed by Gwangyang with 14 cases.

By age group, there were 25 cases in their 60s, 21 in their 30s, and 15 aged 70 and above. Due to the spread of infection among families, there were also 9 cases of infants and children aged 0-9.

Regarding the rapidly spreading group infection at the Muhan Group, there were as many as 58 local infection cases recorded.

After the first confirmed case, about 20 people were infected by exercising without masks at a fitness center, and subsequent secondary infections occurred widely, raising concerns of a large-scale outbreak at one point.

Regarding the Gwanghwamun rally, a pastor in his 50s who participated in the rally was confirmed positive, and the infection spread to his spouse, resulting in two confirmed cases.

Currently, Jeonnam Province is conducting tests on 423 rally participants, with 330 having completed testing, and no confirmed cases other than the pastor in his 50s.

One person is scheduled for testing, and the list of 91 residents from other regions has been notified to the respective cities and provinces. One person who lost contact and one person delaying testing have been reported to the Suncheon police.

Regarding Sarang Jeil Church, an infected man in his 80s who had contact with the church member's child was confirmed. Two gateball club members and one physical therapist who had contact with this man were confirmed positive, and one patient of the physical therapist was also infected, totaling five confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, the province is strengthening diagnostic testing for self-quarantined individuals to block the spread of local infections.

Government guidelines allow self-quarantined individuals to be released from quarantine after two weeks if asymptomatic, but the province requires diagnostic testing before release even for asymptomatic individuals, identifying four infected persons.

Jeonnam Province plans to continue focusing all efforts on rapid identification of contacts and diagnostic testing in cooperation with cities and counties to prevent further spread of infection.

Additionally, to resolve the shortage of hospital beds, the province plans to strengthen the 'bed-sharing' system with Gwangju City to secure sufficient beds for critically ill patients and alleviate residents' anxiety. A residential treatment center with 83 rooms is also operating at the KEPCO KPS Human Resources Development Institute in Naju.

Kang Young-gu, Director of Health and Welfare Bureau of Jeonnam Province, said, "Although there were concerns about a large-scale outbreak due to the spread of COVID-19 local infections, we are currently in a somewhat calm phase by operating a strong and meticulous quarantine network," adding, "To completely block the spread, please do not be careless, stay indoors, always wear masks, minimize contact between people, and strictly follow quarantine rules."

Since the first confirmed case in Naju on February 6, a total of 146 people have been infected as of the end of August in Jeonnam. Among them, 120 were local infections and 26 were imported cases. There have been no deaths.

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