Rapid Increase in COVID-19 Cases from Busan Entertainment Venues, 83 Cases in Six Days... 27 of 46 New Cases in One Day

Busan City Health Authorities Report Entertainment Workers Employed in Various Downtown Old Town Venues

On the morning of the 29th, when 384 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed, medical staff are collecting samples at a temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] COVID-19 cases originating from entertainment establishments in Busan are rapidly increasing throughout the city.

Since the first case on the 24th, a total of 83 cases have been confirmed over six days until the morning of the 29th. Among the 46 confirmed cases from the afternoon of the 28th to the morning of the 29th, more than half, 27 people, are related to infections from entertainment establishments.

Employees of entertainment establishments have worked in various areas across Busan, and chain infections caused by related contacts have spread almost throughout the entire city, putting health authorities on high alert.

Busan city health authorities announced on the 29th that after testing 1,568 suspected cases the previous day, a total of 46 people were infected from the afternoon of the 28th to the morning of the 29th. The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Busan has risen to 3,731.

Among the confirmed cases, those related to entertainment establishments accounted for a large portion. On that day, 27 additional cases were confirmed, including 5 employees, 15 users, and 7 related contacts. So far, 1,428 employees including owners and 340 users have been tested.

To date, the number of confirmed cases related to entertainment establishments has increased to a total of 83, including 29 employees, 28 users, and 26 related contacts.

The entertainment facilities where confirmed cases have occurred are mainly karaoke rooms and music pubs located in the old downtown areas such as Jung-gu, Dong-gu, and Seo-gu. After an employee of a refrigeration company in Seo-gu visited, confirmed cases rapidly increased among entertainment establishment helpers and users. Health authorities are facing great difficulties in epidemiological investigations due to the large number of contacts related to entertainment establishments.

Since the lifting of business hour restrictions on the 15th, Busan city has been encouraging users of entertainment establishments to visit health center screening clinics for diagnostic testing.

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