Sauna and Swimming Pool COVID-19 Infections Surge... Are They Really Dangerous?

"Water itself is not a medium... Food intake and conversation after sauna are causes of infection"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Sojeong] Cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue to occur in saunas, with 37 confirmed cases related to Lucky Sauna in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Experts say the possibility of COVID-19 transmission through water is very low, so there is no need for excessive fear of saunas and swimming pools. However, due to the enclosed nature of these facilities, the risk of infection is high, so it is essential to wear masks and avoid eating or drinking, adhering to basic quarantine rules.

Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 4th, "COVID-19 is transmitted through droplets (saliva), and water itself is unlikely to be a medium." He added, "Especially, swimming pool water is strongly treated with chlorine disinfection, so the virus cannot survive long." Professor Eom explained, "There have been no confirmed cases of infection from drinking or inhaling water containing the virus," and "While aerosol (tiny particles floating in the air) infection is not impossible, the likelihood is very low."

Although it cannot be ruled out that in enclosed spaces like the Starbucks case in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where cluster infections occurred, droplets could travel and cause infection when air conditioner airflow is strongly directed in one direction, this is not a typical situation. However, even in water, if close contact occurs with an infected person, droplets can come into contact with the body and cause infection, so social distancing must be maintained.

Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "Generally, viruses do not thrive in conditions of high temperature and humidity," adding, "The possibility of transmission is higher in changing rooms or dining areas after sauna use than in the sauna space itself, which has high temperature and humidity." Professor Kim said, "If multiple people eat together in a jjimjilbang connected to the sauna, the risk of infection increases," and emphasized, "It is forbidden to have close contact and conversations without masks in enclosed spaces like saunas or gyms."

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced earlier this year that "there is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through water." The quarantine authorities also consider the possibility of infection through water to be low. Kwon Jun-wook, deputy head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a regular briefing the day before, "Epidemiological investigations show that COVID-19 transmission was not due to sauna water or activities inside it, but rather due to eating and talking without wearing masks," and emphasized, "Wearing masks clearly and safely is very important."

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