16 Local COVID-19 Infection Cases in Jeonnam Region Over Two Days 'Emergency'

Province Focuses on Identifying Infection Sources... In-Depth Epidemiological Investigation Including Additional Contact Tracing

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Since the afternoon of the 16th until now (as of 2 p.m. on the 17th), 16 cases of COVID-19 local infections have occurred in Jeonnam region, including 7 in Suncheon, 2 in Gwangyang, 5 in Mokpo, and 2 in Hwasun, putting the quarantine authorities on high alert.

According to Jeonnam Province on the 17th, the total number of confirmed cases in the Jeonnam region is 270, with 222 local infections and 48 imported cases. Since the 7th, 79 cases have been reported.

After Jeonnam case number 239 was confirmed on the 15th due to contact at a restaurant in Suncheon, a cluster infection occurred, and from noon on the 16th, 5 additional cases were reported at bathhouses and other locations in Suncheon.

In addition, 5 cases were confirmed in Mokpo due to contact with Gwangju case number 546 from Jeonnam National University Hospital, and 2 additional cases were reported in the Hwasun area through a senior welfare center.

In Gwangyang, 2 cases occurred: one in contact with Gwangju case number 566 and one related to a Gwangyang company, while 2 cases from Suncheon are currently under investigation for their infection routes.

The Eastern Region Epidemiological Investigation Joint Cooperation Team of the province is focusing on identifying the source of infection with support from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s immediate response team, conducting in-depth epidemiological investigations including identifying additional contacts.

Since the 12th, the Director of the Jeonnam Province Health and Welfare Bureau has been leading the quarantine efforts on-site in Suncheon following Gwangyang.

The province urgently dispatched 20 personnel, including specimen collection staff and basic epidemiological investigators, from Jeonnam Province and four counties?Damyang, Goheung, Gangjin, and Sinan?to the Suncheon screening clinic from the previous day to support joint response efforts.

Six types of quarantine supplies, including protective suits, were additionally supplied with 5,000 units each to three cities: Suncheon, Yeosu, and Gwangyang.

Kang Young-gu, Director of the Jeonnam Province Health and Welfare Bureau, stated, “Small-scale cluster infections through workplaces, restaurants, bathhouses, colleagues, and families are continuing mainly in the eastern region, creating a very serious situation. We ask people to refrain from family and acquaintance gatherings, minimize contact between people, and promptly get tested if they have cold symptoms.”

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