Seoul Hanyang University Hospital 15th Floor Cohort Isolation... 27 Confirmed Cases Accumulated So Far

Bangdaebon "Sequential Testing in Progress"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The quarantine authorities have gone on high alert as a cluster of COVID-19 cases emerged at Hanyang University Hospital in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to the cluster infection at Hanyang University Hospital in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, has risen to 27. Since the first confirmed case was reported on the 27th, a thorough investigation of 450 contacts was conducted up to the previous day, resulting in 26 additional confirmed cases. Among the confirmed cases, there were 10 patients, 8 caregivers, 7 family members including the index patient, and one doctor and one nurse each.

Gwak Jin, head of the patient management team at the CDCH, explained regarding the index patient, "The index patient was a family member who stayed at the hospital to care for a hospitalized patient. Symptoms appeared on the 26th, and the patient was confirmed positive on the 27th," adding, "Starting from the index patient, additional confirmed cases were identified through investigations of family members and hospital contacts."

Gwak also stated, "Among the 27 confirmed cases, two staff members were confirmed to have had contact with patients in the affected ward by nursing or treating them. However, it requires further epidemiological investigation to determine whether the infection was transmitted from patients or caregivers to staff, or vice versa." He added, "Since comprehensive testing will be conducted sequentially starting today, we will update the additional information daily."

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has imposed cohort isolation on the 15th floor of Hanyang University Hospital where the confirmed cases were found. In addition, in-depth epidemiological investigations, tracing of confirmed patients' movements, identification of contacts, investigation of infection routes, and emergency disinfection are being carried out.

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