Delta Variant 'Breakthrough Infection' Confirmed, 51 Cumulative Cases in Nursing Hospitals... Busan Reports 90 Cases, Enters Level 4

Closure of 7 Busan Beaches Until the 22nd

On the 9th, the sandy beach of Haeundae Beach in Busan appeared quiet. Starting from the 10th, social distancing measures were raised to the highest level, Level 4, and all seven beaches in Busan will be closed until August 22. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Ninety additional COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Busan. The cluster infection at a nursing hospital in Gijang-gun, where breakthrough infections occurred despite completion of the second vaccine dose, was confirmed to be caused by the Delta variant.

According to Busan City on the 9th, 31 cases were confirmed in the afternoon of the previous day, and 59 cases in the morning of the day, totaling 90 positive cases.

Among them, 69 were contacts of existing confirmed cases, and the infection route of the remaining 21 is unknown. Of the 69 contacts, 21 were identified as family infections, 15 as transmissions among acquaintances, and 13 as infections among coworkers.

At a nursing hospital in Gijang-gun, 3 additional cases were confirmed. The cumulative confirmed cases increased to 51, including 44 patients, 5 workers, and 2 family contacts.

Among the 41 patients, 39 had been vaccinated, but breakthrough infections were identified.

Among the patients, 37 received the AstraZeneca vaccine, and the remaining 2 received the Pfizer vaccine. The 5 workers also experienced breakthrough infections after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Most of the vaccinated individuals received their first dose in March and completed the second dose between May and June.

A Busan city official explained, "It is presumed that breakthrough infections caused by the Delta variant have recently occurred."

It is estimated that virus exposure was prolonged due to limited ventilation at the facility, air conditioning operation during the heatwave, and a delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of the initial confirmed case.

The first confirmed case at the hospital was a hospital worker who was classified as a contact due to a family member’s confirmed case and tested positive on the 6th after examination.

Among the additional confirmed cases on this day, 6 were infected at the Suyeong-gu market.

They were confirmed positive during an investigation of 94 people after one worker was confirmed positive on the 6th.

The facility is a market building that includes a fish sales shop and stores selling vegetables and other food items.

In a pub in Busanjin-gu where a cluster infection occurred, infections continue. On this day, 13 additional cases were confirmed, including 8 visitors and 5 contacts. The cumulative confirmed cases increased to 62, including 47 visitors, 2 workers, and 13 contacts.

At an indoor sports facility in Yeonje-gu, 5 people were confirmed positive due to a chain infection. Currently, 3 users and 14 contacts have been infected.

At an insurance-related institution in Busanjin-gu, 2 additional employees were confirmed positive, bringing the total to 12 employees and 4 contacts testing positive.

The cumulative confirmed cases in the Busan area have increased to 9,206.

Busan City will enter social distancing level 4 from the 10th to the 22nd, and all seven beaches in the city will be closed.

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