10 Family Members Test Positive for COVID-19... Ancestral Rite Identified as Cause of Cluster Infection

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] The cause of the cluster outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Changwon, Gyeongnam, was identified as an asymptomatic confirmed case attending a Jesa ceremony, leading to transmission among family members.

Choi Young-cheol, Director of the Safety, Construction, and Transportation Bureau of Changwon City, held a press conference on the 26th and announced that a total of 13 family members attended the Jesa ceremony, of whom 10 tested positive. Among the 10 confirmed cases, 6 are from Changwon and 4 are from Goyang City.

Confirmed cases Changwon 78, 79, and 80 are family members living together in Uichang-gu who attended the first Jesa memorial service for their father on the 18th. Case 78 showed symptoms of coughing and loss of smell on the 18th, and case 79 developed body aches and coughing symptoms on the 22nd.

Case 80 was asymptomatic, and all three family members were transferred to Masan Medical Center on the night of the 25th and are currently hospitalized for treatment. Case 81, residing in Seongsan-gu, is the aunt of case 78 and experienced nasal congestion symptoms on the 22nd. The spouse tested negative, and one child is awaiting test results.

Case 82, residing in Uichang-gu, is the uncle-in-law of case 78. Symptoms of coughing and sputum appeared on the 24th. The spouse also tested negative, and one child is awaiting test results.

Case 83, residing in Uichang-gu, is the aunt of case 78. Symptoms of coughing and cold-like body aches appeared on the 18th. Among three children, one tested negative and two are awaiting test results.

Health authorities have completed disinfection measures at the confirmed cases’ homes and major movement routes, and are conducting tests on contacts and exposed individuals through in-depth epidemiological investigations.

Director Choi Young-cheol stated, “What we feared last weekend has occurred,” and urged, “While we are grateful for the ancestors’ grace and the event is meant to strengthen family bonds, we ask that this time you cancel or reduce the scale of such ceremonies.”

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