Dozens Infected with COVID-19 at Jamboree Site... Some Participants Sent Home

28 COVID-19 Cases Confirmed at Campsite
2 Officially Discharged

At the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree venue, dozens of scout members were infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and some were reported to have left the campsite.

According to the World Scout Jamboree Organizing Committee on the 4th, 28 COVID-19 cases were reported at the campsite up to the previous day since the opening of the event.

Additionally, 1,486 people visited the hospital within the Jamboree grounds in a single day. Among them, 383 cases were insect bites, 250 cases were skin rashes, and 138 cases were heat-related illnesses.

Participants are cooling off with cooling fog as they move around at the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree held in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk, 4 days ago.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters also confirmed that 25 patients were transported to hospitals outside the campsite just the previous day. The cumulative number of patients transported to off-site hospitals during the event has reached 63.

Some scouts have also left the campsite. As of this day, two scout members and a leader have expressed their intention to withdraw due to personal reasons. The organizing committee stated that it is difficult to disclose specific reasons but explained that there have been no group withdrawals as was feared.

However, there are claims that the number of those who have left is much higher. Initially, about 43,000 people were expected to participate in the event, but the number of participants counted as of the morning of this day was only 39,304.

An organizing committee official explained, "Since the COVID-19 endemic phase, people have been living indoors without masks, so we believe there are no major issues with outdoor camping life," adding, "The reason for the lower-than-expected number of participants is due to difficulties in counting."

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