Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

23 May 2020

○ As of 0:00, 23 May 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 11,165 (including 1,204 imported cases), of which 10,194 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 23 in total.

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

○ Of the 23 new cases, 4 were imported cases and 19 were locally transmitted cases.

  - Of the 4 imported cases, 2 are from UAE, 1 from Kuwait, and 1 from Bangladesh.

  - Of the 19 locally transmitted cases, 10 confirmed cases are related to nightclubs, and 9 confirmed cases are from other sources.

○ In Seoul City, 3 additional cases(2 staff, and 1 family member of the staff) were confirmed from a bar related to a nurse working at Samsung Medical Center. All persons who visited the bar and karaoke room between 9~10 May are requested to visit a nearby screening clinic and get tested for COVID-19.

   * SBS karaoke room, Holics pub, and Abkari restaurant located at 77gil, Seocho-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul

○ Related to an intern pastor at Grace Methodist Church at Yangcheon-gu, Seoul City, 3 additional cases were confirmed at Gyonggi province making a total of 7 confirmed cases. Investigation on chain of transmission is ongoing.

○ KCDC provided the following guidance for COVID-19 prevention and timely response in schools.

  - Students, teachers, and staff should check their symptoms in the morning and stay home if they have fever or respiratory symptoms. They should keep facemasks on at all time while in school and strictly follow personal hygiene measures such as hand washing and cough etiquette.

  - KCDC especially asked students to avoid karaoke rooms, PC cafes and teachers and staff to avoid nightclubs, bars, karaoke rooms and PC cafes.

  - Schools should ensure that every student’s body temperature is checked before the student enters classroom. If a student has temperature of 37.5 degrees or above or have other suspected symptoms, the school should have the student put on an MFDS-approved facemask (i.e. KF80, KF94, or KF99) and wait in a separate location while the school contacts the student’s parent or guardian.

  - If a confirmed case is found in a school, all students, teachers, and staff of the school will be instructed to put on an MFDS-approved facemask and return home. Local municipal government will conduct epidemiological investigation, disinfection, restriction of use of the affected facility, and other necessary infection control measures.

  - KCDC is having daily meetings with the Ministry of Education and the National Fire Agency to share up-to-date information on the classroom learning of high school seniors and to address challenges and any need for improvement.

○ In light of the recent rise in local transmissions related to clubs, bars, karaoke rooms, and after-school private academies, KCDC urged people to refrain from social gathering or visiting any enclosed/confined/crowded spaces that are frequented by many people.

  - People who cannot avoid visiting an enclosed/crowded space for an essential reason should carefully follow personal hygiene measures including keeping 2 meters of distance from other people, wearing a facemask, avoiding handshakes, washing hands, and not touching eyes, nose, or mouth with their hands.

  - Persons belonging to high-risk groups (including elderly, pregnant women, persons with chronic illness) should especially avoid any poorly ventilated enclosed space frequented by many people. If such a situation cannot be avoided for an essential reason, it is highly important to wear a facemask.

○ During the weekend, religious facilities and houses of worship also need to take precautions as there is a risk of exposure to a large number of people. Online or other non-face-to-face methods of gathering and worship are recommended.

  - Facilities hosting on-site events need to check everyone’s body temperature, maintain distance between participants, require everyone to wear a mask at all times, and refrain from providing group meals or engaging in activities that make respiratory droplets travel in air such as singing and shouting.

○ Anyone who has come in close contact with a large number of unspecified persons in an enclosed/confined space such as clubs or bars need to be tested at a screening clinic through public health center or 1339 call center.

  - KCDC urged people to visit a screening clinic and get tested especially if two or more persons within a household or social group develop COVID-19 suspected symptoms.

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

TOTAL

Gyeonggi

Province

Gyeongbuk

Province

[Table 4: Age distribution of severe cases]