Cluster Infection in Cheonghae Unit, Infection Suspected from Gulf of Guinea Neighboring Country... All Released from Isolation Treatment (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The COVID-19 outbreak in the Cheonghae Unit began in a country adjacent to the Gulf of Guinea, with the initial infection estimated to have occurred between June 28 and July 1.

The joint civilian-military investigation team, composed of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, military epidemiologists, and medical professionals, announced the epidemiological investigation results of the 34th Cheonghae Unit's cluster infection during a briefing on the 10th.

After the first suspected COVID-19 symptoms among the 34th Cheonghae Unit members were identified on the 2nd of last month, numerous positive cases were confirmed through PCR tests conducted overseas on July 14-15. Consequently, all 301 unit members were repatriated on July 20. Upon return, PCR tests confirmed 272 positive cases, resulting in an infection rate of 90.4%.

The index patient (first identified case) was a man in his 20s who tested negative in a domestic PCR test but was classified as a "presumed patient" after COVID-19 neutralizing antibodies were detected. Additionally, variant analysis of 64 confirmed cases revealed the presence of the Delta variant.

Clinically, 76.8% of the confirmed cases were symptomatic, with major symptoms including sore throat, fever, muscle pain, cough, and headache. To date, all patients have been released from isolation treatment without any severe or critical cases.

The investigation team stated, "The unit completed a two-week quarantine process before overseas deployment, and it was determined that the only possible point of viral introduction was during port docking." They added, "The 34th Cheonghae Unit was confirmed to have docked at B region (June 8) while moving from their usual mission area, A region, to D region, and subsequently docked at C region (June 11-12) and D region (June 28 - July 1)."

The team further explained, "The sharp increase in symptomatic cases after docking at D region, symptom onset within the average incubation period (5-7 days) among some members who had contact with outsiders or goods during docking, and whole-genome sequencing results confirming the virus matched the strain reported in D region all support the possibility of infection occurring at D region." D region is a country adjacent to the Gulf of Guinea, where the 34th Cheonghae Unit loaded military supplies.

The investigation team estimated that the reasons for the large number of cases among unit members included: ▲ the "3 Cs" environment (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings) aboard the ship and continuous communal living 24 hours a day ▲ the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant ▲ delayed recognition of cases due to clinical symptoms of COVID-19 being difficult to distinguish from common cold or fatigue caused by prolonged navigation.

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