Native Instructor-Origin Cluster Infection 'Emergency'... Authorities Confirm Delta Variant (Update)

Native Instructor - 213 Cumulative Confirmed Cases Related to Mapo-gu Pubs
Delta Variant Also Confirmed... Authorities Say "Epidemiologically Related Cases Managed According to Variant Standards"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The number of confirmed cases continues to rise in the cluster infection related to the native English teacher group in Gyeonggi Province and metropolitan area English academies. Concerns are growing especially as the Delta variant of COVID-19, which has higher transmissibility than the original virus, has been identified in this case.

Park Young-jun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), stated at the COVID-19 briefing on the 30th, "The Delta variant virus has been confirmed in the cluster infection related to English academies in Gyeonggi Province," adding, "There is also an epidemiological link to pubs in Mapo-gu, so we believe the Delta variant has an impact."

The cumulative number of confirmed cases related to restaurants in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and six English academies in the metropolitan area has reached 213. Among them, 45 were confirmed at restaurants in Mapo-gu, and cases continue at academies in Seongnam City (66), Bucheon City (27), Goyang City (34), and Uijeongbu City (29).

Accordingly, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and Seoul City have advised visitors to eight restaurants around Hongdae in Mapo-gu (La Bamba, Zen Bar, Dokkaebi Club, FF Club, Awesome, Seoul Pub, Corner Pub, Makondo Bar) from the 16th to the 28th to undergo COVID-19 testing.

Park explained, "On the 19th, when the highest exposure occurred, we sent preemptive testing guidance messages to visitors, including those who visited nearby restaurants, due to concerns about additional exposure centered around Mapo-gu restaurants," adding, "When cluster infections occur, local governments conduct on-site investigations to assess exposure risks. Currently, since handwritten logs are deemed incomplete, disaster alert messages were sent."

For now, since Delta variant infections have been confirmed in this case, authorities plan to manage epidemiologically related cases according to the Delta variant protocols. Park said, "Currently, variant viruses are randomly sampled and analyzed for mutations. If a variant is confirmed, epidemiologically related cases are classified and managed the same way. Some cases requiring re-verification will undergo separate variant testing, but not all cases in this cluster will be tested for variants."

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