Busan Detention Center Devastated by Omicron, Large-Scale Outbreak of 145 Cases per Day Emergency

Inside Busan Detention Center. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] A large number of COVID-19 cases have occurred at Busan Detention Center.

According to Busan health authorities, 145 people tested positive in one day on the 24th. Among the confirmed cases, 129 are inmates and 16 are detention center staff.

At Busan Detention Center, about 30 cases were first confirmed on the 18th, and with the large-scale outbreak on this day, the number of confirmed cases is expected to increase further.

The detention center has been conducting daily PCR tests on close contacts after the cases were detected, with about 10 new cases occurring steadily each day, but this is the first time that a large-scale outbreak of over 100 cases has occurred in a single day.

A representative from Busan Detention Center said, "It is presumed that a newly admitted inmate was the initial source of transmission, but since many cases appeared at once, it is difficult to identify the exact source of infection."

Confirmed inmates are being housed separately from the general inmate population in a designated area. Health monitoring is being strengthened through regular medical rounds, and if symptoms worsen, inmates are transported to dedicated hospitals based on medical opinions.

All visitations except for meetings with legal counsel have been suspended for confirmed inmates.

On the 18th, Busan Detention Center requested related institutions such as courts and prosecutors to postpone trials until the situation stabilizes. Except for trials where attendance is absolutely necessary, such as those with imminent expiration of detention periods or sentencing, court appearances are being postponed.

A representative from Busan Detention Center stated, "As a large number of confirmed cases have occurred at once, the number of inmates in isolation has increased, raising the density of the general inmate population. To alleviate overcrowding, we are considering transferring non-infected inmates to other correctional facilities."

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