Why a Mass Infection at Seoul Dongbu Detention Center... Overcapacity by 342 Inmates and Apartment-Style Structure (Update)

All indoor daily activities... Due to high-density environments

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) reached a record high of over 1,200, 498 cases were confirmed at Seoul Eastern Detention Center alone, pointing to mass infections in correctional facilities as a major cause of the surge in confirmed cases.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 25th, since the first infection was confirmed on the 27th of last month at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, a full inspection of staff and inmates was conducted, resulting in 498 confirmed cases to date, including 20 staff members and 478 inmates.

At a regular briefing on the day, Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters' quarantine team, said, "Unlike other detention centers, Seoul Eastern Detention Center is an apartment-style building," adding, "While other detention centers have outdoor activities, all daily life here takes place indoors."

Yoon explained, "The capacity is 2,070, but 2,412 people are housed, resulting in a high density," and added, "This is believed to be why many confirmed cases have emerged."

With nearly 500 confirmed cases at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, treatment plans for these individuals are also under discussion. Currently, 15 buildings have been designated as cohort isolation zones and are being treated and managed similarly to residential treatment centers.

Yoon said, "We are currently discussing two directions with the Ministry of Justice," explaining, "One is to place them in a newly established separate detention center, and the other is to admit them to a residential treatment center." He continued, "The residential treatment center is not one designated by local governments but one designated by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and is currently vacant," adding, "Since they are inmates, management is also an important aspect, and considering this, a decision will be made soon and measures will be taken."

The Ministry of Justice conducted a special inspection of quarantine conditions at 50 correctional facilities nationwide over two days, from the 22nd to the 23rd, to prevent additional mass infections following the outbreak at Seoul Eastern Detention Center.

Furthermore, as infectious disease outbreaks increase within correctional facilities, quarantine management will be strengthened. To fundamentally block the introduction of COVID-19 into correctional facilities by new inmates, which is presumed to be one cause of the mass infection at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, the quarantine period for new inmates will be extended from two weeks to three weeks.

Additionally, a first rapid antigen test will be conducted upon intake of new inmates, and before release from quarantine, a second polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test will be conducted; quarantine will be lifted only if the result is negative. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 within correctional facilities by asymptomatic individuals, if even one confirmed case occurs in a correctional facility, a proactive full inspection of staff and inmates at the facility will be conducted.

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