"Please Stop Playing Around" Bars, Pubs, Wine Bars... Spread of 'Group Infections'

Itaewon 'Holdem Pub' Cluster Infection... Daejeon Bar Confirmed Cases Exceed 50
Health Authorities "COVID-19 'Winter Pandemic Surge' at Critical Point of Rapid Increase or Decrease"

On the 7th, the Itaewon district in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where a new coronavirus (COVID-19) case related to entertainment establishments was confirmed, is quiet.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has remained in the 600s for two consecutive days, raising public awareness about COVID-19. However, some people still appear unconcerned about the '3M environments'?crowded, enclosed, and close-contact settings?leading to growing criticism. It is pointed out that more attention should be paid to quarantine rules during the COVID-19 spread phase, but this is not happening.

A new cluster infection centered around 'Hold'em pubs' (places where people drink and play card games) in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, has put health authorities on alert.

Gwak Jin, head of the Patient Management Team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), said in a briefing on the 7th, "According to information confirmed until yesterday, 11 COVID-19 confirmed cases have been identified as related to the five locations mentioned in the text."

Earlier, Yongsan-gu Office and the CDSCH sent an emergency disaster text message in the morning, advising, "Visitors to 'Western Lounge,' 'Two Pair,' 'Dice,' 'Gentle Rabbit,' and 'KMGM' establishments in Itaewon from November 26 to December 4 should get tested."

Team leader Gwak explained, "So far, some people have visited these establishments multiple times, and excluding duplicates, we have secured a list of 379 visitors who are under investigation. Compliance with quarantine rules and risk factors are still being investigated."

According to health authorities, the confirmed cases visited four Hold'em pubs from November 30 until testing positive. Some establishments were reportedly visited multiple times by certain individuals.

On the 7th, a notice of temporary closure was posted at a restaurant in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where a new coronavirus (COVID-19) case related to entertainment establishments was confirmed.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "Wanting to have fun but refraining is also part of quarantine" Citizens urge restraint from visiting bars and pubs

Given the situation, concerns are rising that a second 'Itaewon Club' outbreak might recur. In Itaewon, a cluster infection involving hundreds occurred last May. In October, 19 confirmed cases were reported at the 'KMGM Hold'em Pub' in Namdong-gu, Incheon.

Consequently, criticism is directed at people who get confirmed positive after spending leisure time in places like Hold'em pubs and bars. Despite the COVID-19 spread phase, they still enter crowded and enclosed spaces, causing harm to others.

On November 29, a COVID-19 case was confirmed at a wine bar in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. As of the 6th, 20 additional cases were confirmed, including 8 visitors (including the first confirmed case), 5 family members and acquaintances, and 8 further infections through family and acquaintances, totaling 21 confirmed cases.

Also, on December 1, at a ping-pong hall in Songpa-gu, after the first confirmed case, 21 additional cases were confirmed by the 6th, including 11 users of the hall and 11 family members infected by them, totaling 22 confirmed cases.

In Seongbuk-gu, two people tested positive during contact tracing related to a university band club, increasing the total to 37. In the same area, 16 additional confirmed cases were identified during contact tracing after the first case at a musical rehearsal studio on the 1st. So far, a total of 17 people, including actors, have tested positive.

Meanwhile, as of the 7th, a total of 76 confirmed cases have been linked to a restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The restaurant had a performance stage, and it was found that the audience did not properly wear masks while watching the performance.

Citizens have urged restraint in leisure activities such as entertainment during the COVID-19 spread phase. Kim, a company employee in his 30s, emphasized, "I understand the desire to have fun, but everyone is struggling with COVID-19, and above all, since you can get infected, I hope people refrain a bit from drinking and enjoying for the sake of others." He added, "Ultimately, if you get COVID-19, it's your own loss. It can also spread to your family."

Park, a self-employed person in his 40s, said, "If COVID-19 cases increase, small business owners like us will suffer a huge blow. COVID-19 is hard on the body but also hard on the mind." He added, "No one wants to get infected, but I hope people will be more cautious."

Teachers who supervised the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test held on the 3rd are lined up on the morning of the 4th in the parking lot of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to undergo COVID-19 testing. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases related to a pub in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, has surpassed 50. According to Daejeon and Sejong cities on the 7th, seven people confirmed positive after the 3rd?Daejeon cases 523, 524, 544, 545, 546, 550, and Sejong case 119?were found to be linked to the Yuseong-gu pub.

Health authorities reported that all seven visited the Yuseong-gu pub on November 26. Including family and acquaintances who had contact with these seven, the total number of pub-related confirmed cases has risen to 55. By region, 46 are in Daejeon, 5 in Sejong, 3 in Taean, Chungnam, and 1 in Iksan, Jeonbuk.

Jung Hae-gyo, Director of the Daejeon City Health and Welfare Bureau, said, "We strongly suspect that some confirmed cases who had been to Seoul visited the pub multiple times and transmitted the virus to others around them," adding, "As the number of visit days increases, there is a high risk of additional confirmed cases."

Meanwhile, health authorities assessed that the country stands at a critical juncture in controlling or spreading COVID-19. At a regular briefing on the 1st, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "The domestic COVID-19 situation has reached a turning point. It is a crucial moment whether it will lead to a larger spread or be contained," adding, "Since the adjustment of social distancing levels, overall mobility has been decreasing."

He further warned to be more vigilant about the 'risk factors' identified during the COVID-19 response, stating, "We all know the risk factors encountered whenever there were signs of a large-scale outbreak: crowded, close-contact, enclosed '3M' environments, not wearing masks, delayed testing, and complacency."

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