Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

11 May 2020

○ As of 0:00, 11 May 2020, a total of 10,909 cases (including 1,133 imported cases) have been confirmed, of which 9,632 cases (88.3%) have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 35 in total.

[Table 1. Total reported/tested cases]

[Table 2. Imported cases in Korea (as of 0:00, 11 May 2020)] 

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

○ Of the new cases, 6 were imported cases; 29 were locally transmitted cases. All 29 local cases are related to the Itaewon nightclub cluster.

  - 20 were persons who visited one of the clubs in Itaewon. 9 were contacts of confirmed cases.

  - 14 additional cases have been confirmed between 0:00 and 12:00 today, raising the total confirmed cases from this cluster to 86.

  - Further efforts to identify contacts, infection sources and epidemiological investigation are underway.

  - By region: Seoul City=51, Gyeonggi Province=21, Incheon City=7, Chungbuk Province=5, Busan City=1, Jeju Province=1

  - By chain of transmission: Visitors of Itaewon clubs=63; Contacts (e.g. family, acquaintances, coworkers)=23

○ Noting that anyone who visited any of the nightlife entertainment venues including any clubs or bars from 24 April to 6 May is likely to have been exposed to the virus, KCDC asked everyone who visited these locations during the above period to:

- (1) Stay home.

- (2) Contact a local public health center or dial 1339 (KCDC call center).

- (3) Visit a screening clinic to get tested, regardless of symptoms.

○ KCDC also asked municipal governments and healthcare institutions to actively help such people get tested regardless of symptoms or which specific venue they visited.

○ The newly amended COVID-19 Response Guidelines (8th edition) will go into effect today.

   - The wording in the case definition has been amended to further clarify examples of COVID-19 clinical symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, and pneumonia.

   - Recommendation to test following Patients Under Investigation (PUI) more proactively/liberally:

    > A person living with a person with COVID-19 clinical symptoms (whether at home or at a facility)

    > A person who has come in contact with a household member, friend, or acquaintance within 14 days of their entering Korea from overseas

    > A person who has visited an institution or location where a confirmed case has been found, in consideration of history local transmissions in the community.

   - For discharge criteria for symptomatic confirmed cases, minimum time period has been added.

    > Before: Discharge from isolation if clinical and laboratory criteria are met

    > After: Discharge from isolation if clinical and laboratory criteria are met after 7 days have passed since onset of illness

○ KCDC released the newly amended “Guidance for Disinfection of Group Care Facilities and Public Use Facilities (Edition 3-2)”.

   - Alternative disinfection methods using the likes of ultrasound, high-intensity UV irradiation, and LED blue light are not recommended as they have not been proved to be effective and may irritate the skin and respiratory track or cause eye damage. (Also not recommended by US CDC or WHO)

   - Indiscriminate spraying of disinfectants in outdoor environment should be refrained, as there is no scientific evidence suggesting effectiveness and excessive use of disinfectant may increase the risk of health problems and environment pollution.

   - The guidance recommends that frequently touched indoor surfaces* should be wiped frequently with disinfectants such as diluted sodium hypochlorite (a.k.a. household bleach).

    * Such as elevator buttons, hand rails, door knob, armrests, backrests, desks, lighting controls, keyboards, switches, blinds, etc.

○ KCDC asked people to be highly precautious as the local transmission of COVID-19 is currently increasing.

   - Nightlife entertainment venues such as nightclubs are recommended to refrain from operating in compliance with administrative orders of 8 May. Such venues that must operate against the order must comply with infection control/prevention measures. They must also comply with any additional measures enforced by local municipalities, in accordance with the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

    > Includes prohibition of eating/drinking indoors, mask wearing at all times, designating infection control manager, making a log of all visitors and checking identification card, etc.

    > Establishments that fail to comply will face penalties and/or civil damages.

○ KCDC requested that the general public carefully follow the 5 Infection Prevention Rules and avoid visiting any place that makes it easy to come in close contact with many people including but not limited to nightclubs and bars.

  - “5 Basic Infection Prevention Rules for Everyone”:

  - (1) Stay home for 3-4 days if you get sick.

  - (2) Keep a distance of two arms’ length between you and other people.

  - (3) Wash your hands for 30 seconds. Cough/sneeze into your sleeve.

  - (4) Ventilate your space at least twice a day and disinfect regularly.

  - (5) Keep in touch with family and friends while maintaining physical distancing.

○ KCDC reminded the public to stay home and not go to work if having fever or respiratory symptoms and to call the KCDC call center (1339 or area code + 120) or contact a local public health center and get tested if having prolonging fever over 38 degrees or aggravating respiratory symptoms.

  - KCDC also asked healthcare institutions to liberally test patients with suspected symptoms.

[Table 3: Regional distribution and epidemiological links of the confirmed cases]

[Figure 1: Daily confirmed cases by chain of transmission]

[Table 4: Age distribution of severe cases]

[Figure 2: New cases (for last 2 weeks) by chain of transmission]