Haenam-gun Reports 17 New COVID-19 Cases... Movement Restrictions in Songji-myeon

Over 6,000 Residents of Songji-myeon Undergo PCR Testing... Approximately 2,000 Tests Conducted So Far

County Governor Myeon-gwan Myung is holding an emergency countermeasure meeting. / Photo by Asia Economy

[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Since the 26th, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, has increased to 17, putting the quarantine authorities on high alert.

Among them, 16 are presumed to have been infected through Haenam patient number 31 and other confirmed cases from different regions confirmed in Busan.

According to Haenam-gun on the 28th, an administrative order was issued on the 27th recommending COVID-19 diagnostic testing for all residents living in Songji-myeon. A mobile screening clinic was set up in Songji-myeon, and as a result of testing 2,108 people overnight, 15 additional confirmed cases were reported as of 11 a.m. on the 28th.

As additional confirmed cases continued to occur, the county issued an additional administrative order on the 28th recommending movement restrictions for Songji-myeon residents along with diagnostic testing.

Previously, on the 27th, patients number 31 and 32 were confirmed consecutively in Haenam. It was identified that a confirmed case from another region confirmed in Busan worked at entertainment establishments in the jurisdiction from the 16th to the 26th, coming into contact with patient number 31 and many others.

Since the movements of the Busan confirmed case and Haenam patient number 31 were complex and involved contact with many people, diagnostic testing for all Songji-myeon residents became unavoidable.

The county is also recommending that residents refrain from operating entertainment facilities, karaoke bars, and teahouse-style rest restaurants within the township along with movement restrictions. If the order is not followed and COVID-19 is confirmed, the county plans to claim compensation for quarantine costs including the individual's treatment expenses.

In this regard, County Governor Myeong Hyun-gwan instructed to devote all administrative efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the region through on-site inspections and an emergency countermeasure meeting held on the 27th and 28th.

Additionally, through an appeal to the residents, he stated, “Rapid contact tracing and isolation are the most important measures to prevent community spread. Cooperation such as voluntary reporting by residents who have come into contact with confirmed cases is urgently needed. Residents whose paths overlap are urged to get tested regardless of symptoms, and to strictly follow the social distancing level 3 quarantine guidelines to overcome this crisis.”

Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun kh0424@asiae.co.kr

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