Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

26 May, 2020

○ As of 0:00, 26 May 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 11,225 (including 1,218 imported cases), of which 10,275 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 19 in total.

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

○ Of the 19 new cases, 3 were imported cases and 16 were locally transmitted cases.

- Of the 3 imported cases, 1 is from America, 1 from UAE, and 1 from the Philippines.

○ Related to the biblical language study meeting, 1 additional case was confirmed at Grace Church in Dobong-gu, Seoul. This case is presumed to have been infected through contact with the confirmed case from Jusarang Church (Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province). In total, 9* cases have been confirmed related to this cluster to date.

   *1 from Grace Methodist Church (Yangcheon-gu, Seoul); 1 from Grace Church (Dobong-gu, Seoul); 6 from Hwado Uri Church (Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province); 1 from Jusarang Church (Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province)

○ Related to the Coupang Logistics Center in Bucheon City, Gyeonggi Province, 8 additional cases have been confirmed to date. Testing is underway for the workers of the logistics center. Investigation on the chain of transmission is underway, including possibility of epidemiological link to a confirmed case (visited Laon Party House on 9 May, confirmed on 23 May) from the nightclub-related cluster.

○ Related to Elim Church in Gumi City, Gyeongbuk Province, 1 additional case was confirmed who was a family member of a church member. In total, 8* cases have been confirmed related to this cluster.

   * 7 members of Elim Church (including the student at Daegu Meister High School for Agriculture and the student’s family), 1 merchant, 1 family member

○ Regarding the confirmed case in Daegu City who is a member of the military, epidemiological investigation is underway to identify the chain of transmission.

○ As of 12:00 today (26 May), 255 cases have been confirmed related to the nightclubs.

○ In an effort to stop further local transmission of COVID-19 within communities as early as possible, KCDC is conducting mass testing of persons who visited public venues and events visited by confirmed COVID-19 cases.

  - Persons who visited such places during the respective specified time period are advised to visit a screening clinic and get tested regardless of symptoms. (Refer to Table 5 on the final page.)

○ Regarding the surveillance and investigation system for domestic cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Adolescents (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19, 2 cases of suspected MIS-C have been reported as of 0:00 of 26 May.

  - Both cases were reported by medical institutions in Seoul region. One case is below 10 years of age. The other is 10-19 years of age. One of the cases does not meet the case definition. But investigation is underway for both cases.

  - KCDC requested the media and the public to refer to such cases as “Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Adolescents (MIS-C)” or ”multisystem inflammatory syndrome” adopted as official terminology by KCDC through expert review and analysis of patient characteristics and clinical symptoms and in consideration of the term used by the World Health Organization.

○ In light of the upcoming opening of schools on 27 May (Wednesday) for high school grade 2 (11th grade), middle school grade 3 (9th grade), elementary school grades 1-2, and kindergarten students, KCDC requested students and school staff to closely follow the infectious disease prevention measures.

 - 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.

○ As a measure to assess the risk of school dormitory environment, testing will be conducted for dormitory resident students of boarding high schools in Gyeongbuk Province and Incheon City.

  - For Incheon City, the testing will take place on 27-28 May. The personnel required will be provided by the Ministry of National Defense.

  - For Gyeongbuk Province, the testing will take place beginning on 26 May and will also include dormitory resident students of a college in Gyeongsan.

○ 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.

○ 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 new confirmed cases by chain of transmission]

         TOTAL

         Seoul City

         Incheon City

         Gyeonggi Province

         Daegu City

         Gyeongbuk Province

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