Mass Infection at Dongbu Detention Center... Court Administration Office to Discuss COVID-19 Measures
[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Amid a cluster outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at Seoul Dongbu Detention Center, correctional authorities and the courts are focusing on identifying the infection routes and preventing further spread. It has been confirmed that some of the infected inmates attended trials held at local courts.
According to the Ministry of Justice on the 20th, a total of 186 confirmed cases were identified through a full-scale investigation at Dongbu Detention Center, including 1 staff member and 185 inmates. One inmate who had previously received a pending decision in the full investigation was confirmed positive on this day. Considering that from November 27 to December 16, 17 people (16 staff members and 1 inmate) at Dongbu Detention Center were confirmed positive, the cumulative number of confirmed cases reached 203 as of this day.
Lee Yong-gu, Vice Minister of Justice, visited the COVID-19 on-site response headquarters operating at Dongbu Detention Center in the afternoon to discuss countermeasures. At this meeting, Vice Minister Lee requested that new inmates be required to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing during their quarantine period.
Those confirmed positive are reported to be asymptomatic or showing mild symptoms. The Ministry of Justice immediately isolated confirmed cases and their contacts in quarantine housing units to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The issue is that 42 of the confirmed inmates recently attended trials at Seoul Eastern District Court, Seoul Northern District Court, and Suwon District Court Seongnam Branch. These courts disinfected the courtrooms and instructed judges and staff to undergo COVID-19 testing.
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Accordingly, the Court Administration Office plans to hold a regular meeting of the "COVID-19 Response Committee" on the morning of the 21st to discuss measures such as recommending court recesses. Previously, on the 7th, the COVID-19 Response Committee had advised trial judges in the metropolitan area courts to actively consider postponing trials for 8 to 21 days unless necessary.
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