[Summary] 40 New COVID-19 Cases in Dangjin... 38 Cases Linked to Naeum Church Cluster Infection

Kim Hong-jang, Mayor of Dangjin, briefing on the cluster outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] In Dangjin, Chungnam, 40 people, including 31 church members, tested positive for COVID-19 on the 13th.

According to Dangjin City, as of midnight on that day, 40 confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported from a church and a senior welfare center in Dangjin. The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Dangjin increased to 77.

Kim Hong-jang, mayor of Dangjin, stated in a non-face-to-face briefing that "This morning, 31 members of Naeum Church, 1 student from Sinpyeong High School, 5 people related to Irum Senior Welfare Center, 1 person related to Masil Senior Welfare Center, and 2 people tested at Dangjin General Hospital screening clinic, totaling 40 people, tested positive for COVID-19."

Dangjin City had previously announced that three confirmed cases were identified, including church members (Dangjin cases 35 and 36) who attended a church worship meeting the day before.

After confirming the movements of Dangjin case 35, A, a first-year student at Dangjin High School, and case 36, B, a woman in her 20s working at Masil Senior Welfare Center, it was found that about 40 church members ate together inside the church after the worship service on the 6th. Dangjin City conducted COVID-19 tests on 47 people, including confirmed cases and church members who ate together.

Additionally, tests were conducted on 335 students and staff of Dangjin High School, 34 staff and users of Irum Senior Welfare Center where A’s family works, and 40 staff and users of Masil Senior Welfare Center. The Sinpyeong High School student who tested positive that day was confirmed to have had contact with A, who tested positive the day before.

Therefore, among the remaining 9 people, 7 were also found to be related to the church. Accordingly, the number of confirmed cases related to Naeum Church increased to 40.

Naeum Church, where the COVID-19 cluster outbreak occurred that day, is a small church affiliated with the Korea Independent Church Mission Federation. It is not registered as a religious organization in Dangjin City nor as a local church, so it was omitted from the targets for quarantine rule inspections.

Due to the cluster outbreak from the church, Dangjin City plans to deploy all health center staff and an additional 30 epidemiological investigation personnel from the city hall to identify confirmed cases’ movements, contacts, and to enforce quarantine measures, anticipating more confirmed cases.

After requesting manpower support from the Chungnam Infectious Disease Management Support Group, the city also asked the Chungcheong Regional Disease Response Center to conduct an environmental risk assessment to prevent further infections among Naeum Church members.

Raising the social distancing level to 2.5 or higher is also under consideration. Mayor Kim said, "Cluster infections are occurring continuously in religious and nursing facilities," and urged citizens, "For the safety of yourself, your family, and your neighbors, please cancel all unnecessary gatherings and appointments during the year-end and New Year holidays, and strictly follow personal quarantine rules such as wearing masks anytime and anywhere."

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