Busan Entertainment Venue Cluster and Over 50 Cases for Four Consecutive Days 'Emergency'

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju Cheol-in] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly spreads mainly in the metropolitan area, Busan has gone into emergency as the number of confirmed cases exceeded 50 for the first time in history for four consecutive days.

Busan City announced on the 10th that 59 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed. This exceeded 50 for the fourth consecutive day following 52 cases on the 7th, 59 cases on the 8th, and 62 cases on the 9th.

Since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Busan early last year, this is the first time the number of cases has exceeded 50 for four consecutive days, causing health authorities to be on high alert.

The spread related to entertainment bars has not stopped. Among the newly confirmed cases on this day, 20 were linked to entertainment bars. Six were Busan residents, three were visitors from other regions, and 11 were confirmed positive among contacts.

Since the beginning of this month, the total number of confirmed cases related to entertainment bars has reached 133 across 18 establishments (73 visitors, 24 workers, and 36 contacts).

Regarding the three singing practice rooms where cluster infections occurred, two additional visitors were confirmed positive. The total number of confirmed cases related to these singing practice rooms is 30 (19 visitors, 3 workers, and 8 contacts).

In relation to a pub in Saha-gu, two more users were confirmed positive, bringing the total to 15 (12 visitors and 3 contacts). Two additional workers related to the fisheries industry were confirmed, making the cumulative total 112 cases.

Regarding the high school in Saha-gu where cases were reported the previous day, investigations were conducted on 321 individuals, with no additional confirmed cases so far. At an elementary school in Dong-gu where cases emerged, 127 contacts were investigated, but no further cases were found.

Busan City held an emergency briefing the previous day and strengthened quarantine rules. Following the elevation of social distancing to Level 2 on the 8th, additional measures were announced just one day later.

The operating hours of five types of entertainment facilities and singing practice rooms were shortened from midnight to 10 p.m., and the allowed number of private gatherings after 6 p.m. was reduced from 8 to 4 people.

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