77 Confirmed Cases at Gidulami Boiler Asan Factory... Chungnam Tightens Quarantine at Large Workplaces

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases related to the Kiturami Boiler Asan factory has increased to 77. Chungnam Province plans to halt operations at this facility and conduct urgent on-site inspections focusing on large workplaces in the area.

On the 16th, the province announced the current COVID-19 response status and future action plans.

According to the province, as of 2:30 PM on the same day, the confirmed cases related to the Kiturami Boiler Asan factory, including factory workers and their families, totaled 77. Among the confirmed cases, many foreign workers were also included.

Previously, on the 13th, one worker at this facility was first confirmed positive for COVID-19. Subsequently, the province set up a temporary screening clinic within the workplace and conducted a full survey of all 632 employees, resulting in the number of confirmed cases rising from 53 the previous day.

Currently, the province has completely suspended operations at the facility and completed disinfection. Additionally, a joint epidemiological investigation team was formed with the Chungcheong Disease Response Center and the Chungnam Infectious Disease Management Support Group to investigate the working environment at the facility and sent 16 environmental samples collected on-site to the Health and Environment Research Institute.

Separately, the province will also conduct joint on-site inspections with 15 cities and counties targeting large facilities in the area. They will provide guidance on compliance with quarantine guidelines to factories with more than 100 employees and focus on infection prevention activities at high-risk places such as nursing hospitals and facilities, restaurants, cafes, multi-use facilities, and religious facilities where cluster infections are likely.

Yang Seung-jo, Governor of Chungnam Province, said, “It is regrettable that a cluster infection has occurred in the region at a time when the third wave seems to be subsiding and expectations for vaccination are growing. The province will do its utmost to implement quarantine measures to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the community.”

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