Government: "Academies, Restaurants, Kids Cafes... Widespread Spread of Secondary Transmission in Daily Life" (Update)

Kids Cafe Group Outbreak 5th Transmission Infects 63
Gosi Academy and Restaurant Group 4th Transmission Infects 124
"Additional Measures Outside Distancing Upgrade Zones Depend on Trends"

On the 25th, the second day of raising social distancing to Level 2 in the Seoul metropolitan area, a banner announcing the "Emergency Pause Period for Ten Million Citizens" is hung on the outer wall of the Seoul Library in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads throughout everyday life, the government has urged people to strictly follow quarantine rules, such as minimizing contact whenever possible. Since it is difficult for the authorities' quarantine management network to reach every private gathering of family and acquaintances, individuals themselves must adhere well to the rules to prevent the virus from spreading.

On the 25th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare visualized recent major cluster cases, showing that a cluster infection related to a high-level exam academy in Seoul was connected to six other outbreak clusters. A patient presumed to be the source of infection within the academy infected others who had links, and subsequently, each cluster spread the virus to their surroundings, resulting in many patients. This cluster involved the academy, three restaurants, a hiking club, a sauna, and workplaces.

The cluster outbreak at a kids caf? in Gyeonggi Province was also linked to four other clusters, including a sports academy, a nursing hospital, and two daycare centers. The pattern shows that family members or users of each facility were infected first, and then those infected later spread the virus again to family members, coworkers, and others nearby. Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said at a briefing that day, "Please cancel all gatherings and appointments for the time being and stay at home," adding, "Refrain from using multi-use facilities and get tested promptly if you have symptoms."

On the 25th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) intensifies daily in South Korea, medical staff are collecting specimens at an on-site screening clinic set up in the parking lot of Dongjak District Office in Seoul for proactive testing. Dongjak District recently established the on-site screening clinic to prevent further spread related to the cluster infection at the Noryangjin civil service exam academy. The on-site screening clinic will operate for three days from the 25th to the 27th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If the number of testees increases, the period may be extended. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, the number of domestic community infection cases in the past week was 2,214, averaging just over 316 cases per day. By region, the metropolitan area had 222 cases, Gangwon Province about 19.7, and the Honam region about 29.4. The metropolitan area raised social distancing to level 2 from the previous day, and parts of the Honam and Gangwon regions were elevated to level 1.5. Although cases continue to occur in other regions, the government views that immediate additional measures are not necessary at this time.

Son said, "We believe that the spread of infections in the metropolitan area and other regions is driving the increase in cases," and added, "Since the number of cases in other regions outside these three areas is not significantly increasing, we will monitor whether the situation can be managed more stably and consider additional measures accordingly."

Regarding intensive care unit (ICU) beds, the authorities stated that the number is somewhat higher than the figures compiled by the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine. There are more beds managed by hospitals with specialists in respiratory medicine, internal medicine, and other fields, which accounts for the difference from the Society's numbers. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, as of the previous day, there were 115 ICU beds immediately available nationwide, 1,926 beds in dedicated infectious disease hospitals, and 1,377 beds available in residential treatment centers. All ICU beds, dedicated infectious disease hospital beds, and residential treatment centers are about half occupied.

On the 25th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) intensifies daily in South Korea, citizens lined up to get tested at an on-site screening clinic set up in the parking lot of Dongjak District Office in Seoul for proactive testing. Dongjak District recently established the on-site screening clinic to prevent further spread related to the group infection at the Noryangjin civil service exam academy. The on-site screening clinic will operate for three days from the 25th to the 27th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If the number of testees increases, the period may be extended. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Although there is still some capacity, the government expects the number of patients to continue rising and is securing additional beds. Since September, under the designated system for severe patient treatment beds, nine additional beds have recently been secured in the Chungcheong and Gyeongsang regions, and 188 beds have been added in the past week by newly designating infectious disease hospitals. The distribution includes 45 beds in the metropolitan area, 34 in Gangwon Province, 50 in the Honam region, and 59 in the Gyeongnam region. A new residential treatment center in the Honam region is scheduled to open that day, and consultations are underway in the Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk regions.

Regarding the nationwide general strike rally planned by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) that day, the government requested that the rally be canceled or minimized as much as possible. Son said, "In a situation where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly, following quarantine measures to protect the lives of the people must take priority," adding, "Private gatherings before and after the rally are prohibited, and during the rally, masks must be worn, and chanting or shouting should be restrained to strictly follow quarantine rules. Any rallies violating these rules will be dealt with strictly without exception."

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