'Gwangju 3rd Wave Triggered' Spread in Entertainment Venues, Starting from Sarang Jeil Church (Update)

Gwangju Sangmu District Entertainment Establishments Clustered Street. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] It has been tentatively confirmed that the regional infection spread originating from entertainment establishments in the Sangmu district, which triggered the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Gwangju, began at the overnight worship service of Sarang Jeil Church located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

According to the quarantine authorities on the 17th, through analysis of mobile phone location information system (GPS), the movement paths of confirmed cases related to Gwangju entertainment establishments were identified, revealing a connection with Sarang Jeil Church.

One confirmed case, an entertainment establishment hostess, was found to have attended the overnight worship service of Sarang Jeil Church at the end of July, which was participated in by church members from across the country.

Although the confirmed case denies attending the overnight worship service, authorities have reportedly secured meaningful statements related to this case from fellow hostesses.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and Gwangju City plan to finalize and announce the investigation results.

Meanwhile, the spread originating from Sangmu district entertainment establishments increased to 23 cases after the first confirmed case was reported on the 12th of last month.

Authorities understand that the COVID-19 confirmation of the hostess, presumed to be the source of infection, was identified late with a time lag.

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