Cluster Infections at Hospitals and Religious Facilities Nationwide: "We Will Block Transmission Through Workers"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] On the 23rd, the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached 1,092, marking the second highest ever, as cluster infections continue in hospitals and religious facilities across the country.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, following the first confirmed case at a hospital in Nowon-gu, Seoul on the 20th, 23 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the total number of confirmed patients and staff to 24.

Regarding a religious facility in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, after the first confirmed case of a congregant on the 17th, 20 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, resulting in a cumulative total of 21 confirmed cases.

At a hospital in Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province, after the first confirmed patient on the 21st, 20 additional cases among staff and family members were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the total confirmed cases to 21.

Following the first confirmed case at an insurance company in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon on the 17th, 15 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, totaling 16 confirmed cases to date.

At a daytime care center in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, after the first confirmed staff member on the 21st, 12 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the total to 13 confirmed cases.

Additionally, in relation to hospitals in Goesan-gun, Eumseong-gun, and Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk Province, 39 additional cases were confirmed during follow-up testing of co-isolated individuals and contact tracing, bringing the cumulative total to 125 confirmed cases. The health authorities estimate that additional transmission occurred during the transfer of patients from Goesan Hospital to hospitals in Eumseong and Jincheon.

Regarding a religious facility in Dong-gu, Daegu, 8 additional cases among congregants and family members were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the total confirmed cases to 37.

At a nursing hospital in Dong-gu, Busan, since the 21st, 11 additional cases were confirmed during follow-up testing of co-isolated individuals and contact tracing, totaling 34 confirmed cases to date.

Following the first confirmed case at a performance gathering in Nam-gu, Ulsan on the 19th, 23 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the cumulative total to 24 confirmed cases.

At a nursing hospital in Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk Province, 19 additional cases were confirmed during co-isolation investigations, bringing the total confirmed cases to 36, and at a nursing home in Buk-gu, Gwangju, 7 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, totaling 24 confirmed cases to date.

Regarding a religious facility in Jeju-si, 7 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, bringing the cumulative total to 119 confirmed cases. Health authorities estimate that additional transmission occurred through two evening gatherings and activities at a sauna and live cafe at the Jeju religious facility.

The health authorities stated, "Infections through staff at nursing hospitals and facilities nationwide are occurring frequently," and added, "We will implement administrative orders prohibiting private gatherings of staff at these facilities and require PCR testing every week in the metropolitan area and every two weeks in non-metropolitan areas for staff to prevent further spread of infection."

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