Soonchunhyang University Hospital 189 Cases and Asan Boiler Factory 160 Cases... Additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cluster Infections Continue

On the 19th, a citizen visiting Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, is receiving a notice about the suspension of outpatient services. Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital will suspend outpatient treatment and health checkups until the 21st to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure patient safety. According to health authorities, since a confirmed case was reported at this hospital on the 12th, a total of 189 people have tested positive as of the 19th, including 74 patients, 31 staff members, 59 guardians and family members, 15 caregivers, 9 acquaintances, and 1 other person. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Although the daily number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea fell below 600 for the first time in three days, cluster infections and additional confirmed cases continued to occur nationwide in workplaces, hospitals, and other locations.

On the 19th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 561 from the previous day to 86,128. The infection routes were recorded as 533 local transmissions and 28 imported cases. The average daily number of confirmed cases over the past week was 444.7.

By region, 396 cases (74.3%) occurred in the Seoul metropolitan area. Regarding the cluster infection at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 19 additional cases were confirmed during contact tracing. This brings the cumulative total to 189 confirmed cases, including ▲74 patients ▲31 staff ▲59 caregivers/family members ▲15 caregivers ▲9 acquaintances ▲1 other. Additionally, 4 more cases were confirmed related to Hanyang University Hospital in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, increasing the total to 113.

In Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, where over 100 cases were reported in one day related to a plastic factory, 7 more cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 129. This includes ▲122 workers ▲6 family members ▲1 other.

New cluster infections also continued. In Guro-gu, Seoul, following the first confirmed case on the 15th linked to a workplace cluster, 11 additional cases were confirmed, totaling 12 related cases: 7 workers and 5 family members. Other cluster infection cases include 17 cases related to a church in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, and 12 cases linked to a meat processing company in Pocheon-si.

Outside the Seoul metropolitan area, 137 cases (25.7%) were reported. Regarding a boiler factory in Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, 25 additional cases were confirmed by midnight, totaling 160 related cases: ▲108 workers ▲52 family members and acquaintances. By region, the cases were distributed as follows: ▲Chungcheongnam-do 128 ▲Daejeon 7 ▲Gyeongsangbuk-do 6 ▲Incheon 5 ▲Gangwon 3 ▲Daegu 2 ▲Jeju 1 ▲Sejong 1.

Cluster infections related to family gatherings also occurred. In Uiseong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, after the first confirmed case on the 16th linked to a family gathering, 9 additional cases were confirmed. All 10 cases were family members, with 4 in Gyeongsangbuk-do and 6 in Ulsan. In Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 12 more cases were confirmed related to a family cluster, bringing the cumulative total to 34.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters noted an increased risk of infection spread due to the rise in cluster infections in families, workplaces, religious facilities, and hospitals, as well as the easing of social distancing measures. They reiterated the importance of thorough social distancing and adherence to quarantine guidelines. During the Lunar New Year holiday period and before and after, if visiting hometowns, traveling, or using multi-use facilities, people are advised to ▲refrain from going out as much as possible ▲wear masks and practice thorough personal hygiene such as handwashing ▲and get tested immediately if any suspicious symptoms appear.

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