Governor Kim Kyung-soo: "Jinju Sauna COVID-19 Cluster Infection Serious" ... Jinju City Raises Alert to Level 2

Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam briefing on COVID-19 response on the 12th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] As social distancing in Jinju City has been raised from level 1.5 to level 2, Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, expressed serious concern on the 12th, stating, "The largest number of cluster infections in Gyeongnam Province has occurred."

Governor Kim personally held a briefing that afternoon and explained, "A confirmed case with suspicious symptoms did not undergo rapid testing and continued to use multi-use facilities, which led to a cluster infection."

According to Gyeongnam Province, the number of confirmed cases related to the Jinju 'Pharos Health Sauna' alone has reached 92.

This cluster infection began when Gyeongnam 2181 (Jinju 403) was first confirmed positive during a pre-departure test for overseas travel. Despite showing COVID-19 related symptoms, a contact of Gyeongnam 2181 (Jinju 407) visited the bathhouse continuously for six days, triggering the cluster infection.

The quarantine authorities are considering claiming damages by investigating whether there was intentionality regarding the confirmed cases who visited the Jinju bathhouse.

The quarantine authorities are conducting tests on a total of 328 people centered on the movement path of Gyeongnam 2181 (Jinju 403). So far, 92 have tested positive and 133 negative. Tests for the remaining 104 people are ongoing.

Among the 328 people tested, 235 had contact at the bathhouse. Additionally, 33 were from schools and academies, 19 family members, 1 from a golf course, and 40 others were tested.

Meanwhile, Gyeongnam Province raised Jinju City's social distancing from level 1.5 to level 2 for two weeks from midnight on the 13th until the 28th.

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