Police Officers COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Total 132... Concentrated in the Seoul Metropolitan Area

9 Infected During Work Including Deployment at Gwangbokjeol Rally
Continued Encouragement to Follow Quarantine Rules

On the 14th, a police officer is undergoing a diagnostic test at a temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Over the one year since the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread in South Korea, a total of 132 police officers working on the front lines of public safety have tested positive. More than half of these cases occurred after the start of the currently ongoing '3rd wave' of infections.

According to the National Police Agency on the 18th, as of the previous day, the cumulative number of police officers confirmed with COVID-19 was 132, with 16 currently undergoing treatment. By period, the largest number, 82 cases (62.1%), occurred from the 4th quarter of last year when the 3rd wave began. This was followed by 34 cases in the 3rd quarter of last year during the Gwangbokjeol rally, and 14 cases in the 1st quarter of last year during the Shincheonji Jesus Church-centered outbreak.

By region, 99 cases (75.0%), or three out of four police infections, were concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area. This is similar to the domestic regional occurrence status. The source of infection was mostly secondary infections through family or colleagues. Among 71 confirmed cases with identified infection routes, 63 were confirmed as such secondary infections. Nine people contracted the virus through contact with confirmed cases during work, such as interacting with civil petitioners or being mobilized at the Gwangbokjeol rally site. Six cases were identified as asymptomatic infections.

The National Police Agency plans to continuously encourage strict compliance with quarantine rules such as wearing masks. In fact, although confirmed cases recently occurred at the 182 Police Civil Petition Call Center located in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, only 3 out of 211 employees were infected by adhering to mask-wearing and seat distancing, minimizing the spread of infection.

Additionally, the police will urge compliance with quarantine rules to prevent family infections, and continue preventive measures such as thorough quarantine actions in '3密 (close contact, crowded places, enclosed spaces)' departments like the 112 situation room, and proactive testing for early detection of asymptomatic confirmed cases.

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