"Increase in Small Group Infections and Continued n-th Infections" ... Seoul City Expands Weekend On-site Inspections of Religious Facilities (Comprehensive)

On the 10th, new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection occurred at Sinchon Severance Hospital. Medical staff and employees are waiting to be tested at the screening clinic set up at Sinchon Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred at Sinchon Severance Hospital and additional confirmed cases followed from existing small-scale cluster infections, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has once again emphasized the management of quarantine measures in multi-use facilities and the compliance of citizens with quarantine rules.

Park Yumi, Seoul’s Quarantine Controller (Director of the Citizen Health Bureau), stated at the COVID-19 briefing on the morning of the 11th, "Patients in the ward where confirmed cases occurred at Severance Hospital are being cohort-managed, and we are investigating the connection between the ward and hospital staff." She added, "Currently, three immediate response teams consisting of 25 members have been formed to conduct in-depth epidemiological investigations of confirmed cases, plan treatment for hospitalized patients and rearrange within the hospital, establish discharge criteria, manage hospital disinfection, and actively monitor contacts."

As of 10 a.m. that day, a total of 23 confirmed cases related to Severance Hospital have been identified.

Regarding the cluster infection among temporary workers at Jongno District Office, since the first confirmed case on the 8th, seven additional cases were confirmed on the 9th and three on the 10th, bringing the total related confirmed cases to 11. Earlier, at the Coupang logistics center in Songpa District where the first confirmed case was reported on the 4th of this month, three more cases were confirmed the previous day, resulting in a total of 16 related patients, including 13 in the Seoul area, as of that day.

At the Yeongdeungpo District Illyeonjeongjong Seoul Buddhist Temple, after the first confirmed case on the 5th, 19 cases were confirmed by the 9th and two more on the 10th, increasing the total related confirmed cases to 22. Among these, 21 are confirmed cases in Seoul.

There were also two COVID-19 related deaths. An individual in their 80s and another in their 70s, both previously confirmed and undergoing isolation treatment, died on the 9th and 10th respectively; both had underlying health conditions.

The city emphasized strict control of entry and exit at medical institutions, nursing hospitals, and social welfare facilities frequently used by the elderly, and urged workers to refrain from visiting multi-use facilities or attending gatherings, strictly adhering to quarantine rules.

Controller Park urged, "Since secondary infections continue to occur in small gatherings, workplaces, and residential spaces, please strictly follow quarantine rules such as wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining social distancing in places where many people gather." Regarding the control of access to crowded areas in Yeouido, Ttukseom, and Banpo Hangang Parks, she reiterated, "Related companies and restaurants should continue to cooperate to prevent food delivery orders until the 13th, and citizens are also asked to refrain from placing delivery orders."

In addition, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to inspect compliance with quarantine rules at all religious facilities, including churches, cathedrals, temples, and Islamic centers, on Sunday the 13th. Together with 25 autonomous districts, 1,680 public officials will be deployed to 2,031 religious facilities.

Kim Kyung-tak, Director of Seoul’s Cultural Policy Division, said, "Recently, confirmed cases have occurred not only in churches but also in other religious facilities, so this weekend we will expand on-site inspections to all religious facilities including churches, cathedrals, temples, Won Buddhism temples, Cheondoism, Sungkyunkwan, and Islamic centers." He added, "We will focus on checking whether churches hold in-person services and whether other facilities comply with quarantine rules. Facilities that have violated quarantine rules or caused complaints will be inspected intensively, and if violations are found, assembly bans will be ordered."

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