Concerns Over Group Infections in Correctional Facilities Continue... 46 New Cases in Seoul Dongbu, 3 in Incheon

Seoul Eastern Detention Center, where a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred, will conduct the 6th full-scale testing of staff and inmates on the 5th. On this day, a medical waste collection vehicle is entering the Eastern Detention Center. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Concerns are growing as additional COVID-19 cases continue to emerge daily at the Seoul Dongbu Detention Center and Incheon Detention Center, where cluster infections have occurred.

According to the Ministry of Justice on the 3rd, test results from the previous day showed that 43 inmates and 3 staff members at Dongbu Detention Center were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19. Additionally, 3 inmates at Incheon Detention Center also tested positive. As of that day, the cumulative number of confirmed cases at the two correctional facilities stands at 174 at Dongbu Detention Center and 61 at Incheon Detention Center, totaling 235 cases.

Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, visited Dongbu Detention Center on the same day to reassess the quarantine situation and discuss response measures with officials.

At Dongbu Detention Center, since a newly admitted inmate tested positive on the 25th of last month, additional confirmed cases have continued to emerge, including 4 inmates testing positive on the 28th of the same month. At Incheon Detention Center, one inmate transferred to Seoul Detention Center on the 21st of last month tested positive, and 6 other inmates who shared the same cell with that inmate were subsequently confirmed positive.

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