'Delta Variant' Confirmed in 9 Cases from Native English Instructor Cluster Infection at English Academy

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyungsoo] Nine people infected with the 'Delta variant' virus have been confirmed in a cluster infection case at an English academy in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Park Youngjun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), announced on the 30th during an online COVID-19 briefing, "The Delta variant virus was confirmed in the cluster outbreak case related to an English academy in the Gyeonggi area."

The Delta variant, originating from India, is known to have a stronger transmissibility than the existing COVID-19.

Park explained, "Since a pub in Mapo-gu is also epidemiologically related, it is believed that the Delta variant has an influence."

In the cluster infection cases related to a restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and six English academies in the metropolitan area, the cumulative number of confirmed cases increased to 213 during the contact tracing process.

The CDCH believes that the infection spread after six English academy instructors gathered at a restaurant in Mapo-gu. The CDCH stated that nine people were confirmed to be infected with the variant.

Park said, "We did not specifically analyze the variant by identifying foreign instructors; instead, we randomly selected some for analysis." He added, "The Delta variant was confirmed in relation to the English academies, and the confirmed cases in the cluster are being managed as variant virus infections."

As of the 28th, the cumulative number of Delta variant infections in Korea is 263, and when combined with 96 people confirmed to have epidemiological links with them, the total rises to 359. Adding the 213 cases related to native English instructors, the number of Delta variant infections can be seen as already increased to 572.

This marks more than 500 cases within just over two months since the first Delta variant infection was confirmed in mid-April in Korea.

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

Park explained, "The first confirmed case was recognized to have visited La Bamba," adding, "It is a restaurant operated in the form of a pub." He continued, "During the testing process for visitors, many confirmed cases were found. It was found that they gathered in small groups and dispersed to visit nearby restaurants and pubs, so text messages were sent proactively to encourage testing."

The CDCH stated that all eight related facilities are classified as restaurants or general pubs, not entertainment venues, so they are not subject to gathering bans.

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