Jeju, Emart Sinjeju Branch Cluster Infection... Quarantine Authorities on High Alert

Published 23 Aug.2021 15:40(KST)

18 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases at Emart by Morning of 23rd, Surge in Diagnostic Tests

A confirmed COVID-19 case occurred at Emart Sinjeju Branch located in Nohyeong-dong, Jeju City. After the movement path was disclosed on the 22nd, a long line formed along the side road on the 23rd at Jeju Health Center for COVID-19 testing. (Photo by Park Changwon)

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Chang-won] Due to the cluster infection that occurred at the Emart Sinjeju branch, not only were additional confirmed cases reported, but a large number of people hoping to get tested gathered, creating a remarkable scene of long lines around the Jeju Public Health Center on the 23rd.

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced that a total of 3,739 COVID-19 diagnostic tests were conducted on the 22nd, and among them, 32 people (Jeju #2406~2437) tested positive.

Among the contacts of confirmed cases in the Jeju area, 16 people were linked to six cluster infection cases. First, there were 3 confirmed cases related to the ‘Jeju-si Noraeyeon Practice Room’ (Jeju City Karaoke Practice Room), bringing the total number of confirmed cases related to this location to 90. One confirmed case was linked to the ‘Jeju-si Senior Daycare Center,’ increasing the total related cases to 37. One confirmed case was related to ‘Jeju-si Academy 2,’ bringing the total number of confirmed cases linked to Academy 2 to 56. One confirmed case was related to ‘Jeju-si Restaurant 3,’ increasing the total to 12 so far. One confirmed case was linked to ‘Jeju-si General Hospital,’ raising the total to 12 as of the 23rd.

In particular, at Emart Sinjeju branch, after a store employee was first confirmed positive on the 20th, 13 additional coworkers were infected, totaling 14 infected individuals among employees. Subsequently, 4 more confirmed cases were identified as family members of the infected employees, bringing the total number of infections related to the Emart Sinjeju branch cluster to 18.

As of 11 a.m. on the day, there have been no confirmed cases among customers who used the store, but after the disclosure of movement paths and disaster text notifications on the night of the 22nd, a holiday, the number of people getting tested surged on Monday the 23rd. Jeju Province has not been able to accurately estimate the number of visitors to the facility during the movement disclosure period from the 17th to the 20th.

Meanwhile, one of the confirmed cases in Jeju on the 23rd died. This is the second COVID-19 death case in Jeju since January. The deceased was a user of the ‘Jeju-si Senior Daycare Center,’ where a cluster outbreak occurred. They were confirmed positive on the 10th and passed away around 7 a.m. on the 23rd while receiving treatment in a severe patient bed at Jeju National University Hospital. As of 11 a.m. on the 23rd, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Jeju stands at 2,437.