Gyeongju City Records Daily Maximum of 34 Confirmed Cases... Vice Mayor Kim Hojin "Considering Raising to Level 4"

27 Cases on 15th → 6 on 16th → 5 on 17th → 7 on 18th
215 Confirmed in August... Foreign Families Account for 33%

Deputy Mayor Kim Hojin of Gyeongju City giving a briefing on the 19th regarding the highest number of daily confirmed cases.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Since the 16th, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, which had been slowing down, increased to a daily record high of 34 on the 19th.

In response to this sudden surge, Vice Mayor Kim Hojin held a public briefing in the afternoon and conveyed the severe local situation, even mentioning the consideration of Level 4 social distancing.

Gyeongju City is implementing strong measures such as operating a special quarantine week until the 22nd in addition to the Level 3 social distancing policy, but the spread is not easily subsiding.

In Gyeongju, after 27 confirmed cases on the 15th, the number of confirmed cases remained in single digits with 6 on the 16th, 5 on the 17th, and 7 on the 18th.

The total number of confirmed cases in August is 215, with foreign workers and their families accounting for 72 cases, or 33%. Gyeongju has a higher number of foreign workers compared to other regions, raising concerns.

The major cluster infection status in August shows ▲3 cluster infections in companies with 40 cases ▲2 cluster infections in restaurants with 23 cases ▲21 cases related to bathhouses, indicating sporadic cluster infection patterns.

The 34 confirmed cases on the 19th include ▲8 cases from a cluster infection among employees of an auto parts company located in Geoncheon-eup ▲9 cases from a cluster infection among employees of a dairy processing company located in Yonggang-dong ▲13 cases from contact with existing confirmed patients ▲4 others including overseas entrants.

Following the cluster infection at a steel company in Gangdong-myeon, another cluster infection among foreign workers occurred in Geoncheon-eup on the same day. Accordingly, the city has started COVID-19 mass testing for all companies located in Geoncheon to preemptively block corporate cluster infections.

Vice Mayor Kim Hojin stated, "Considering the damage to small business owners, we are postponing the implementation of Level 4 social distancing, but if the situation worsens further, we will consult with neighboring cities, counties, and quarantine authorities to consider implementing Level 4."

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