'Super Spreader' Shincheonji Church Member, Daegu's First Confirmed Case, Discharged After Two Months Hospitalization (Update)

by Choi Daeyul

Published 26 Apr.2020 15:50(KST)

Updated 23 Jan.2025 08:12(KST)

Daegu Shincheonji Church in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Daegu, known as 'Patient 31,' has recently been discharged from the hospital. As a member of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, where a 'super-spreader event' occurred, Patient 31 was hospitalized for over two months, marking the longest hospitalization period among domestic patients to date.

According to Daegu Medical Center and city officials on the 26th, Patient 31 tested negative in the final examination on the 24th and was released from isolation and discharged. The patient was hospitalized for 68 days, from the confirmed diagnosis on February 17 until discharge. To be released from isolation after COVID-19 infection, a patient must test negative twice at one-day intervals without symptoms. Although the criteria for release from isolation and discharge are not exactly the same, patients are currently discharged only after meeting the release from isolation criteria.

After Patient 31 was confirmed positive in mid-February, investigations revealed numerous contacts through church services and other activities. Subsequently, many patients emerged centered around the Shincheonji Daegu Church. As of this day, there are 6,846 confirmed cases in the Daegu area, of which 4,510 are related to Shincheonji. Including other regions, a total of 5,212 cases are linked to Shincheonji, accounting for 48.6% of all confirmed cases.

According to health authorities, the average hospitalization period for COVID-19 patients is around 24 days. Although it is uncommon to be hospitalized nearly three times longer, considering the characteristics of the COVID-19 virus, authorities view this as plausible. Even without symptoms such as fever or cough, viral traces can remain in the body, resulting in positive test results during diagnostic examinations.