Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

15 June, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 15 June 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 12,121 (including 1,346 imported cases), of which 10,730 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 37 in total.

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

□ Of the 37 new cases, 13 were imported cases and 24 were locally transmitted cases.

- Of the 13 imported cases, 3 are from America, 2 from Europe, and 8 from Asia excluding China (Pakistan, Iraq, Qatar).

○ Related to the newly planted churches in the Seoul Metropolitan Region, 3 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 110* cases have been confirmed.

* Related to church = 34; Contacts = 76 / Incheon = 57; Seoul = 31; Gyeonggi = 22

○ Related to Richway in Gwangak-gu, Seoul, 5 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 169* cases have been confirmed.

* Visitors = 41; Contacts = 128 / Seoul = 92; Gyeonggi = 50; Incheon = 21; Gangwon = 3; Chungnam = 3

○ Related to Seongsim Day Care Center in Dobong-gu, Seoul City, 2 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 19* cases have been confirmed.

* User = 14; Staff = 2; Family and others = 3

○ An elementary school student in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon City was confirmed on 13 June. From testing of the student’s family, 3 additional cases were confirmed. Epidemiological investigation to find the infection source and chains of transmission is underway.

□ The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing* (hereinafter “Diagnostic Testing Expert Committee”) has reviewed the testing process of COVID-19 suspected cases in Gwangju City and Nonsan, Chungnam Province and has concluded the result to be a false positive.

* Co-operated by KCDC and Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine in order to support determination of COVID-19 test result

○ Analysis of data on the process of testing suspected cases and on-site inspection (14 June) show that the 3 tests were performed in the same referral laboratories at the same time (same plate) and resulted in a positive result, indicating the likelihood of a false positive due to contamination.

○ KCDC and Korea Society for Laboratory Medicine will co-conduct an on-site inspection of referral laboratories and strengthen specimen control and contamination prevention measures at referral laboratories.

□ The distribution of the confirmed cases in the last 2 weeks (618 cases from 0:00 1 June to 0:00 15 June) by chain of transmission are as follows: local clusters = 438 (70.9%), imported cases = 82 (13.3%), hospitals, nursing homes, etc. = 24 (3.9%), contacts of previous confirmed cases = 11 (1.8%), under investigation = 63 (10.2%).

○ About 90% of new confirmed cases and over 80% of cases with unknown source of transmission are concentrated in the Seoul Metropolitan Region (Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province). Elderly cases (60 years old or above) are increasing. Severe and very severe (critical) cases in those aged 50 or above are also increasing.

○ Local clusters and transmissions continue to emerge especially around religious facilities, long term care facilities, social welfare facilities, and business facilities.

○ Therefore, it is necessary to focus on protecting high risk groups such as the elderly, securing medical resources to prepare for more patients, and breaking the chain of transmission through social distancing efforts.

- Care facilities need to test every newly admitted resident and need to strictly monitor symptoms of residents and staff and have the resident or staff tested immediately if they present with suspected symptoms.

* When a care home resident gets tested at a healthcare institution, 50% of the testing cost will be covered by the National Health Insurance.

- Effective today, KCDC will extend the strengthened control measure for the Seoul Metropolitan Region indefinitely, strengthen inspection of high risk facilities for infection control compliance, expand community care center capacity, and mobilize medical resources in the Seoul Metropolitan Region.

□ With continued COVID-19 cluster transmissions occurring in chains in the Seoul Metropolitan Region with high population density and high foot traffic, KCDC urged people to take precautions.

○ COVID-19 outbreak can occur in any confined, crowded, and close-contact environment. Therefore, meetings such as club meetings and religious small group meetings should be postponed and nightlife facilities, bars, karaoke, and PC cafes should be avoided. In daily life, hand washing, mask wearing, and 2 meter distancing should be practiced.

○ With the rise in the number of elderly cases, the number of patients with severe symptoms is also increasing. The elderly need to take particular precautions.

- People who are 65 years old or older are advised not to visit enclosed spaces without windows or that are poorly ventilated.

- If such an occasion is unavoidable, activities such as eating and singing should be refrained. Masks should be worn and frequent hand washing or sanitizing should be practiced.

- KCDC advises elderly people to take good care of any chronic medical conditions they have. They are encouraged to utilize various means of consulting with healthcare professional regularly, including over-the-phone consultations. When visiting a clinic or hospital, a facemask should be worn.

- Regular exercise is also important, including light home exercises and stretching as well as taking a walk regularly at places and times with less foot traffic outside.

○ As for high-risk community facilities such as convalescent hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and long-term care facilities, if a resident or a worker shows any suspected symptoms such as respiratory symptoms or fever, the resident or worker should be tested immediately.

- As a measure to prevent infections spreading to such facilities, 50% of the cost of testing for new inpatients or residents or care facilities is covered by the National Health Insurance. Active testing is encouraged for such facilities/people.

- Individuals who work at such facilities should not go to work if they have COVID-19 suspected symptoms, avoid public venues such as nightclubs, bars, singing rooms, and PC cafes, and refrain from attending social gatherings such as club meetings and religious small group gatherings.

[Table 4: Regional distribution and epidemiological links of the confirmed cases]

[Figure 3: Daily new confirmed cases by chain of transmission]

TOTAL

Seoul City

Incheon City

Gyeonggi Province

Daegu City

Gyeongbuk Province

[Table 5: Age distribution of severe cases]

[Figure 4: New cases (for last 2 weeks) by chain of transmission]