Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

9 June 2020

○ As of 0:00, 9 June 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 11,852 (including 1,300 imported cases), of which 10,589 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 38 in total.

○ Of the 38 new cases, 3 were imported cases and 35 were locally transmitted cases.

  - Of the 3 imported cases, 3 are from America.

○ Related to the nightclub cluster, 3 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 277* cases have been confirmed related to the nightclubs.

  * Club visitors=96; Contacts =181 / Seoul City=139, Gyeonggi Province=59, Incheon City=54, Chungbuk Province=9, Busan City=4, Daegu City=2, Gyeongnam Province=2, Gangwon Province=2, Jeonbuk Province=2, Daejeon City=1, Chungnam Province=1, Gyeongbuk Province=1, Jeju Province=1

○ Related to the Coupang logistics center cluster in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, 1 additional case (a contact) was confirmed while under self-quarantine.

  * 83 workers of the logistics center; 56 contacts / Gyeonggi=64, Incheon=54, Seoul=21

○ Related to the newly planted churches in the Seoul Metropolitan Region, 1 additional case was confirmed. In total, 88* cases have been confirmed.

  *Related to church = 31; Contacts = 57 / Incheon = 46; Seoul = 27; Gyeonggi = 15

○ A resident of Chinese Migrants Church Shelter (in Guro-gu, Seoul) who had visited Richway was confirmed on 7 June. From testing of all 36 residents of the shelter, 8 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 68* cases have been confirmed related to the Richway cluster.

  *Seoul = 40; Gyeonggi = 17; Incheon = 8; Chungnam = 2; Gangwon = 1 / Visitors = 33; Contacts = 35

○ A resident of an elderly welfare facility in Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi Province who had attended service at Big Tree Church in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province on 31 May was confirmed on 7 June. From testing of all residents and workers at the elderly welfare facility, 6 cases (3 residents, 3 workers) were confirmed. In total, 51* cases have been confirmed related to this Yangcheon-gu sport facility cluster.

  *Related to the table tennis facility = 25 Related to Big Tree Church = 26

○ Related to the KB Life Insurance TM Service Agency in Jung-gu, Seoul, 1 additional case was confirmed while under self-quarantine. In total, 13 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to SJ Investment call center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, 4 cases have been confirmed. Investigation on the chain of transmission and testing of contacts are underway.

○ In Michuhol-gu, Incheon City, 5 people (belonging to one family) were confirmed including one elementary school student and one middle school student. Contact investigation is underway for the affected schools. All persons in the rowhouse building that the family lives in are being tested.

○ Recently, COVID-19 transmissions are occurring through various venues such as religious small group meetings, club meetings, door-to-door sales group meetings in Seoul Metropolitan Region (Seoul and nearby areas) with high population density and foot traffic. If the transmission continues and occurs at a highly crowded and confined space with a large number of people, a massive outbreak may occur at any time.

  - Recent reports of cluster outbreaks show that transmission is occurring rapidly in closed and crowded spaces with initial chain of transmission still unidentified. KCDC noted that it is a cause for concern.

   * Chain of transmission under investigation = 56 cases (8.9%), based on the 627 cases reported during the 2-week period from 26 May (0:00) to 9 June (0:00)

  - Since COVID-19 outbreak can occur from any venue under crowded, confined, and close-contact environment, residents of the Seoul Metropolitan Region are advised to postpone social plans and gatherings or use non-face-to-face alternatives and avoid using public venues such as restaurants and bars.

○ In particular, elderly people who are 65 years old or older are requested to avoid any enclosed space that is poorly ventilated where a large number of people can gather together.

  - If such an occasion is unavoidable, sharing meals and singing should be avoided. Masks should be worn and frequent hand washing or sanitizing should be practiced.

  - It is also important for the elderly is take good care of any chronic medical conditions they have and exercise regularly.

○ KCDC expressed gratitude for the 62 recovered people who signed up to participate in the development of COVID-19 plasma therapy and encouraged more eligible people to participate.

  - Plasma therapy requires a large amount of blood as it involves formulating a concentrated form of the antibodies and immunoglobulins from the blood of people who have recovered from COVID-19.

  - Plasma therapy requires a large amount of blood as it involves concentrated formulations of antibodies and immunoglobulins from the blood plasma of recovered patients.

  - People aged 18-64 who have been confirmed with COVID-19, fully recovered, discharged (released) from isolation (at least 14 days ago) are able to participate.

   * Participating hospitals: Korea University Ansan Hospital, Keimyung Unviersity Dongsan Hospital, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu Fatima Hospital / For inquiries, dial 1522-6487

TOTAL

Seoul City