Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

30 March 2020

○ As of 0:00, 30 March 2020, a total of 9,661 cases (including 476 imported cases) have been confirmed, of which 5,228 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 78 in total.

[Table 1. Total confirmed and suspected cases]

○ Epidemiological links have been found for 84.1% of the total cases; 11.0% are either under investigation or sporadic cases. More details on the epidemiological links within each province or city are shown in Table 2.

○ From Manmin Central Church in Guro-gu, Seoul, 10 additional cases were confirmed. The current total is 23 confirmed cases (church members = 19; family members and other contacts = 4) since 25 March. Two (2) of the confirmed cases reported yesterday have been found to have worked in a call center in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. All 78 workers at the call center have been placed in self-quarantine and testing is underway.

○ From Second Mi-Ju Hospital in Daegu, 58 new cases (patients = 53; staff = 5) under self-quarantine were confirmed. In current total, 133 cases (patients = 127; workers = 6) have been confirmed. The confirmed cases are being transferred to other hospital(s). Measures to prevent further transmission, such as relocating inpatients to other rooms, are underway. (The figures may differ from those in Table 2 as the figures in the table are based on cases reported to the KCDC before 0:00 of 30 March.)

○ Due to the rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases in many countries around the world and the rise in the number of imported cases from overseas, starting 0:00 of 1 April, stronger infectious disease control measures will be applied for travelers arriving in from overseas.

Imported cases in Korea (as of 0:00, 30 March 2020)

* Figures may change based on findings from ongoing local epidemiological investigation efforts.

○ As of today, only travelers arriving from Europe or the United States are ordered to self-quarantine. Starting 0:00 of 1 April, all Koreans and foreigners with residence in Korea arriving from all countries will be subject to self-quarantine for 14 days upon entry.

○ As of today, short-term travelers without domestic residence are subject to active monitoring rather than self-quarantine. Starting 1 April, all short-term travelers will also be ordered to self-quarantine with exceptions* allowed only for limited cases:

  * (1) A-1 (diplomat), A-2 (official duty), or A-3 (agreement) visa types; or

    (2) A self-quarantine exemption issued in advance by a Korean Embassy prior to entry for one of the following reasons:

        ▴important business purpose (contract, investment, etc.)

        ▴academic purpose (international convention)

        ▴other public or humanitarian purpose recognized as valid reason for exemption

○ Short-term travelers who do not have a place of residence or a place to self-quarantine will be allowed to use a quarantine facility provided by national or local government. In this case, the person (regardless of whether Korean or of foreign nationality) will be required to pay for the use of such facility.

○ The cost of testing and treatment for travelers arriving in from overseas is supported by the state. This is done for the sake of public interest, in order to protect Korean citizens and residents by preventing further spread of infection in Korea. However, since the decision to enter Korea at this state is the individual’s voluntary choice, and in order to prevent incentivizing more people to enter into the country adding more burden on the system, living expenses support will not be provided for those traveling in from overseas.

[Table 2: Regional distribution and epidemiological links of the confirmed cases]

*Refer to attachment

○ Nationwide case trends:

[Figures 1-2: Daily and total confirmed cases and their status]