Two students attending Jangcheon Elementary School in Jinhae-gu, Changwon City, tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on the 20th. In response, health authorities have set up a screening clinic at Jangcheon Elementary School and are conducting tests by classifying contacts and individuals exposed to the movement paths. Photo by Joo Cheol-in lx906@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheolin] In Gyeongnam, where a recent cluster infection occurred, no new cases of COVID-19 were reported for 26 days.

Gyeongnam Province announced on the 23rd that no new confirmed cases have occurred since 1 p.m. on the 22nd.

Accordingly, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the province remains at 469. Testing related to major cluster infections in the province is ongoing.

There are a total of 30 confirmed cases related to a social gathering that spread at a restaurant in Changwon. So far, tests have been conducted on a total of 1,634 people, including 750 contacts and 884 individuals exposed to the movement paths. Among them, 30 tested positive, 1,529 tested negative, and 78 are still undergoing testing.

At the naval base, tests have been conducted on a total of 798 people, including 387 contacts and 411 individuals exposed to movement paths. Among them, 4 tested positive, 669 tested negative, and 125 are still undergoing testing.

Jangcheon Elementary School in Jinhae tested 602 people, with 601 testing negative. One person is currently undecided and will be retested.

There are 29 confirmed cases related to a middle school in Hadong County, with tests conducted on a total of 1,811 people, including 241 contacts and 1,570 individuals exposed to movement paths.

Looking at the status of confirmed cases in the province, from the 15th to the 21st, an average of 12.14 cases occurred daily, exceeding the 1.5 social distancing level upgrade criterion of 10 cases.

Currently, Changwon City is implementing level 1.5, and Hadong County is implementing level 2.

Sacheon is enforcing strengthened quarantine measures focused on facilities and places where confirmed cases mainly occurred.

Thirteen cities and counties have had no confirmed cases in the past week and are discussing whether to raise the customized social distancing level by industry to 1.5 in areas with many confirmed cases. However, even if the entire province is raised to level 1.5, the effectiveness of level 2 issued by existing cities and counties will continue.

Kim Myungseop, the provincial spokesperson, said, "Although social distancing levels have been raised in areas with many local infections, it takes some time for the effects to appear. We ask residents to thoroughly follow the core quarantine rules."

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