Continuously Increasing Confirmed Cases in Sauna, Joseon, and Entertainment Establishments... 35 Confirmed Cases in Gyeongnam

Shin Jong-woo, Director of Welfare and Health Bureau, Gyeongnam Province.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju-cheol In] Jinju City and Geoje City in Gyeongnam Province are on alert as group infections originating from bathhouses and sauna establishments are spreading into the local communities.

As of 5 p.m. on the 22nd, Gyeongnam Province announced that 35 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported: 25 in Jinju, 9 in Geoje, and 1 in Tongyeong.

The pattern of confirmed cases related to Jinju saunas, Geoje entertainment establishments, and shipyards continues.

In Jinju, 13 cases are related to saunas. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases linked to Jinju saunas to 214.

Among the confirmed cases in Jinju, 6 had contact with confirmed cases within the province, and 5 who voluntarily got tested after suspecting infection are currently under investigation for their infection routes.

The remaining 1 confirmed case in Jinju was identified as an elementary school employee in the Jinju area. Health authorities are conducting tests on students and staff at this elementary school.

Of the 9 cases reported in Geoje, 8 are related to Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering shipyard workers or their family members.

Following tests on 6,895 people related to the shipyard, 67 workers tested positive. Among them, 13 are connected to entertainment facilities.

The shipyard suspended operations at all workplaces on the 22nd and is conducting diagnostic tests for workers.

To block the spread of COVID-19 in the community, Geoje City health authorities will close 225 daycare centers starting from this day until the situation stabilizes and switch to an emergency childcare system.

Regarding nursing homes where infections have recently occurred, the testing frequency for workers will be increased from once a week to twice a week, similar to nursing hospitals.

Among the confirmed cases in Geoje, 4 had contact with confirmed cases within the province, and 1 was a confirmed case related to Geoje entertainment establishments who developed symptoms while in quarantine and was tested. The cumulative number of confirmed cases related to Geoje entertainment establishments is 64.

The confirmed case in their 40s in Tongyeong had contact with a confirmed case within the province.

The cumulative number of confirmed cases in the province has risen to 2,726 (481 hospitalized, 2,233 discharged, 12 deceased).

Shin Jong-woo, Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau, emphasized, "Residents must not forget the risk of transmission and strictly follow quarantine rules such as wearing masks. If you have suspicious symptoms, please be sure to get tested."

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