Average Daily Confirmed Cases This Week 421... Cluster Infections in Religious Facilities and Nursing Homes (Update)

On the 29th, the door of the Training Center Gymnasium in Jung-gu, Seoul, is closed. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the same day, there were 469 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), bringing the total to 77,395. Photo by Moohnam Munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Domestic COVID-19 cases have remained in the 400s, showing no signs of slowing down. Infections originating from the IM Mission Society are spreading nationwide, and small-scale cluster infections are rapidly occurring in academies, religious facilities, and nursing hospitals, causing health authorities to remain on high alert.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), as of midnight on the 29th, there were 469 confirmed COVID-19 cases, marking the second consecutive day with cases in the 400s.

With the recent increase in cases linked to the IM Mission Society, the average daily number of confirmed cases over the past week has also exceeded 400, reaching 421.4.

By region, 256 confirmed cases occurred in the Seoul metropolitan area, accounting for 57.5% of the total.

Four additional confirmed cases were reported among those in quarantine related to a workplace in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, bringing the cumulative total to 44. Fourteen more cases were confirmed during contact tracing related to a welfare facility in Jung-gu, Seoul, increasing the cumulative total to 35.

At a nursing home in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province, after the first confirmed case on the 27th, 25 additional cases were confirmed, totaling 26 positive cases. This includes seven staff members including the index patient, 14 residents, two family members of staff, and three others.

Regarding a family cluster in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province, since the first confirmed case on the 25th, 14 additional cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to 15. This includes five family members including the index patient, six related to a kindergarten, two family members of the kindergarten children, and two others.

In Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi Province, related to a gathering of acquaintances, since the first confirmed case on the 22nd, 11 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing, totaling 12. In Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, six additional cases related to family and acquaintances were confirmed, bringing the cumulative total to 28.

355 Confirmed Cases at Six Unauthorized IM Mission Society Facilities

Outside the metropolitan area, 189 confirmed cases were reported, including 54 in Gwangju, 41 in North Gyeongsang Province, and 34 in Busan.

During contact tracing related to a meat processing company in Chungju-si, Chungbuk Province, and Gimje-si, Jeonbuk Province, 11 additional cases were confirmed, increasing the cumulative total to 46.

Confirmed cases related to religious facilities continue to emerge. A total of 355 cases have been confirmed in six unauthorized alternative education facilities operated by the IM Mission Society.

In Seocheon-gun, Chungnam Province, nine additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing related to a church on the 25th, bringing the cumulative total to 30.

Regarding a Taekwondo academy in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, 12 additional cases were confirmed, increasing the cumulative total to 45. This includes 25 students, two staff members, 15 family members, and three acquaintances, including the index patient.

In Pohang-si, North Gyeongsang Province, related to a gathering of acquaintances, nine additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing since the 27th, bringing the cumulative total to 26.

During contact tracing related to the Port Workers' Union in Seo-gu, Busan, seven additional cases were confirmed, increasing the cumulative total to 33. In a nursing hospital in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, 11 additional cases were confirmed during quarantine, bringing the total to 67 confirmed cases.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters' quarantine team, expressed concern, saying, "Last week, the number of domestic confirmed cases remained at around 300, but this week it has increased to between 400 and 500. Infections through personal contact are also increasing, and cluster infections are occurring in places such as the IM Mission Society, churches, workplaces, sports facilities, and saunas."

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