89 COVID-19 Cases and 1 Death in Gyeongnam...Breakthrough Infections Spreading Among Elderly

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] Gyeongsangnam-do announced on the 18th that as of 5 p.m., 89 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported, and one patient in their 80s who was hospitalized and receiving treatment at Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital passed away.

By region, there were 35 cases in Changwon, 18 in Hamyang, 13 in Gimhae, 8 in Yangsan, 7 in Sacheon, 3 in Jinju, 2 in Haman, and 1 each in Geoje, Tongyeong, and Changnyeong.

All 18 confirmed cases in Hamyang are related to a local acquaintance gathering. This gathering began after one confirmed case from Geochang-gun, who lives in Hamyang-gun, was first confirmed on the 14th. Most are elderly in their 70s to 80s and are known to be breakthrough infections.

On the same day, the Hamyang-gun Public Health Center set up a temporary screening clinic in the village and conducted mass testing, resulting in 12 additional cases on the 15th, 10 on the 16th, 25 on the 17th, and 5 on the 18th. The cumulative number of confirmed cases reached 53.

Among the confirmed cases, one high school senior is currently hospitalized. Ten students who had close contact with this student were classified as self-quarantined and were transferred to Geochang, where the college entrance exam testing site is located.

One police officer from the Hamyang Police Station also tested positive, leading to only essential personnel remaining while the rest of the staff underwent testing and self-quarantined until results were confirmed.

The Hamyang-gun quarantine authorities are conducting tests on approximately 3,900 people by setting up temporary screening clinics in every village where confirmed cases have been identified.

Additionally, the temporary screening clinics will operate until the 19th, and on the 23rd and 24th, additional tests will be conducted for those who previously tested negative. The 147 senior centers in the affected areas have been closed, and senior job programs have been temporarily suspended.

Among the confirmed cases in Changwon, one is related to a local high school (School II), bringing the cumulative confirmed cases to 42. Another confirmed case in Changwon is related to a local nursing hospital (Medical Institution II), who tested positive during isolation. The cumulative confirmed cases related to the Changwon Medical Institution II have reached 368.

Among the confirmed cases in Gimhae, nine are related to a local foreign children care facility and tested positive during isolation. The cumulative confirmed cases have increased to 76.

Among the confirmed cases in Haman, one is related to a local school. After one student was first confirmed on the 15th, seven more were confirmed on the 16th, six on the 17th, and one on the 18th.

The quarantine authorities set up a temporary screening clinic at this school and conducted mass testing, with 15 people, including 12 students, testing positive so far.

According to epidemiological investigations, the authorities estimate that transmission occurred through conversations while using the same academy vehicle by the confirmed students. The school has switched all grades to remote video classes, and the related academy is currently closed.

Of the remaining confirmed cases, 33 were infected through family, exposure to movement paths, acquaintances, or contact with existing confirmed cases within the province, and six were infected through contact with confirmed cases from Seoul, Incheon, Busan, and Gyeonggi.

The infection routes of 20 others are still under investigation.

Accordingly, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the province has increased to a total of 14,093 (733 hospitalized, 13,316 discharged, 44 deceased).

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