New Cluster Infections in Workplaces, Multi-use Facilities, and Schools... 33.1% Under Investigation for Infection Routes

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As the spread of COVID-19 continues, confirmed cases are rapidly increasing nationwide. In the Seoul metropolitan area, new cluster infections have been identified linked to workplaces, businesses, academies, and swimming pools.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 28th, 17 people, mainly employees, have tested positive since the 24th at a workplace in Seocho-gu, Seoul (12th case), and 12 people including employees and their families have been confirmed positive since the 25th at a workplace in Namdong-gu, Incheon (3rd case). Additionally, 11 employees and others tested positive since the 21st at a printing facility in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, and a total of 19 people were confirmed positive at a livestock product processing plant in Hwaseong-si.

At a swimming pool in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, after the first confirmed case on the 19th, a total of 18 people were infected, including 13 users, 3 acquaintances, and 1 employee and 1 other contact each. Regarding an English academy in Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province (2nd case), 13 people including 8 students, 4 instructors, and 1 family member have been confirmed positive and are undergoing treatment.

Additional confirmed cases have followed in existing clusters. At a kindergarten in Nowon-gu, Seoul, 5 more cases were identified during contact tracing, bringing the total to 22. At a daycare center in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province (2nd case), 9 more cases were added, increasing the total to 36. Other clusters with increasing confirmed cases include a restaurant in Gwanak-gu, Seoul (3rd case, total 30), a restaurant in Gangnam-gu, Seoul (4th case, 29 cases), and a dye manufacturing facility in Siheung-si, Gyeonggi Province (36 cases).

Outside the metropolitan area, new cluster outbreaks have been confirmed in various places including gatherings of acquaintances, schools, workplaces, public institutions, and entertainment facilities. At a high school in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province, 18 students were simultaneously confirmed positive since the 26th. Among them, 9 were members of the school’s sports team and were living in dormitories.

At an automobile sales complex in Cheongju-si, Chungbuk Province, 7 people including 5 employees and 2 family members have tested positive since the 21st. At a workplace in Goryeong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, 9 employees and others were infected since the 24th. At a public institution in Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk Province, 9 people were consecutively infected after the first confirmed case on the 21st. All 10 confirmed cases were employees of the institution. Regarding a karaoke bar in Geumsan-gun, Chungnam Province, 15 people including employees, users, family, and acquaintances were confirmed positive since the 22nd. At a gathering of acquaintances in Jangheung-gun, Jeonnam Province (2nd case), 5 confirmed cases were identified.

The scale of infections in existing cluster outbreaks continues to grow steadily. At Daegu Catholic University Hospital in Nam-gu, Daegu, 9 additional cases were identified during contact tracing, bringing the total confirmed cases to 137. Among them, 35 are employees, 63 patients, 25 caregivers, and 14 others. According to local data, infections related to Daegu Catholic University Hospital have also been reported at a nearby medical institution in Dalseong-gun, increasing the total confirmed cases to 140. At a hospital in Seo-gu, Daejeon, 6 more confirmed cases were added during contact tracing, bringing the total to 11.

Confirmed cases related to bathhouses have also increased. In Gumi-si, Gyeongbuk Province, 5 more cases were added to the bathhouse cluster, totaling 48 cases. In Geumjeong-gu, Busan, 3 more cases were added, totaling 15, and in Jung-gu, Ulsan, 2 more cases were added, totaling 44. Additionally, infection scales have increased in clusters at the agricultural and marine products market in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon (total 13), a restaurant in Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk Province (3rd case, 38 cases), a workplace in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk Province (3rd case, 18 cases), a sports facility in Haeundae-gu, Busan (62 cases), a karaoke bar in Wonju-si, Gangwon Province (12 cases), and a singing practice room in Jeju-si, Jeju Province (106 cases).

Meanwhile, the proportion of patients who do not know when or where they were infected was 33.1%. Among 24,847 newly confirmed cases reported to health authorities in the past two weeks from the 15th of this month to today, 8,231 cases have an unidentified infection route. The proportion of infections after contact with previously confirmed cases such as family, acquaintances, and coworkers was 48.4% (12,031 cases).

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