Concerns Over COVID-19 Resurgence... 45 Confirmed Cluster Infections Linked to Jinju Golf and Bathhouse

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases shows an increasing trend again, cluster infections have erupted nationwide.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 12th, new cluster infection cases linked to child care facilities, churches, academies, sports facilities, and workplaces have continued nationwide.

First, regarding a child care facility in Dobong-gu, Seoul, after the first confirmed case (index patient) was reported on the 9th, contact tracing identified a total of 17 confirmed cases, including 7 family members (including the index patient), 5 staff members, 4 users, and 1 acquaintance. At a church in Seongdong-gu, a total of 14 cases were confirmed following the first case on the 8th. At an academy in Eunpyeong-gu, 14 people, including 10 students, were confirmed positive.

In the Gyeonggi region, at the second case of a sports facility in Hanam-si, 13 cases were confirmed after the first case on the 9th, and at another sports facility in Jungwon-gu, Seongnam-si, a total of 12 cases were confirmed. Additionally, related to a cosmetics manufacturing business in Seongnam-si, 11 confirmed cases occurred among employees and their families.

Cluster infection cases have also continued in non-metropolitan areas.

In Jinju-si, Gyeongnam, following the first confirmed case on the 9th linked to a golf course and bathhouse, 44 additional cases were confirmed. A total of 45 cases were confirmed, including 4 staff members, 31 visitors, 9 family members (including the index patient), and 1 acquaintance. Notably, related to a family gathering in Jinju/Sacheon-si, 13 confirmed cases have been reported since the first case on the 9th.

Starting from midnight on the 13th, Jinju-si plans to raise social distancing to level 2 and issue an administrative order banning gatherings at all 98 bathhouse businesses in the area.

In Goryeong, Gyeongbuk, 6 confirmed cases were identified through proactive testing of migrant workers on the 11th.

The CDCH emphasized that recent reports of cluster outbreaks at indoor sports facilities such as dance halls and fitness centers continue and urged strict compliance with quarantine rules.

According to the CDCH, since January, there have been a total of 21 cluster infections related to indoor sports facilities (11 in the metropolitan area, 10 in non-metropolitan areas), resulting in 644 confirmed cases. The average duration of confirmed case occurrence was 20.4 days, with some cases continuing for up to 47 days.

By facility type, there were ▲8 cases at health clubs ▲4 at dance halls ▲2 each at complex sports facilities, taekwondo dojangs, bowling alleys, and golf practice ranges ▲1 at a table tennis hall. By region, Gyeonggi had the most cases with 7, followed by ▲Seoul with 4 ▲Daegu with 3 ▲Jeju with 2.

A CDCH official stated, "Indoor sports facilities are spaces with insufficient ventilation where many people gather and engage in activities that generate many droplets, increasing the risk of infection and transmission. Therefore, infection prevention management is even more important," urging users, staff, and facility operators to strictly follow quarantine rules and thoroughly manage infection prevention.

"Visiting or using facilities after symptoms appear, engaging in vigorous breathing, shouting commands, and other activities that generate many droplets are considered risk factors," the official added, requesting careful attention to infection prevention management.

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