Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

17 July, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 16 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 13,612 (including 1,966 imported cases), of which 12,396 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 14 new local cases, 47 new imported cases, and 2 new deaths.

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 17 July) are as follows:

* The specific figures below may differ from the daily reported statistics (which are based on figures as of 0:00 today) or figures disclosed by local municipalities due to factors such as report timing and differences in the time period considered

○ Related to an office in Gwanak-gu, Seoul City, 2 visitors (family and acquaintance) were additionally confirmed. In total, 13* cases have been confirmed.

* (Region) 8 Seoul, 3 Gyeonggi, 2 Jeonbuk

○ Related to door-to-door sales group in Gyeonggi and Seoul metropolitan region, 1 additional case (contact related to Wondang Catholic Church) was confirmed. In total, 42 cases have been confirmed.

* 7 church members in Suwon, 10 related to door-to-door sales in apartments in Incheon, 3 related to door-to-door sales inthe Gwanak-gu, 10 people at Happy-rang Healing Center in Gunpo, 12 related to Wondang Cathedral in Goyang

○ Related to Seoul Daehyo Convalescent Hospital, 1additional case (guardian of inpatient) was confirmed. In total, 4 cases have been confirmed.

* 189 people subject to testing, 182 tested negative, 7 are being tested

○ Related to Hanwha Life Insurance in Seoul City, 3 cases were additionally confirmed. In total, 8 cases have been confirmed.

* 5 employees of Hanwha Life, 2 acquaintances, 1 family member

○ Related to door-to-door sales group in Gwangju City, 3 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 147 cases have been confirmed. The new cases are related to badminton club (2) and Hanwul Nursing Home (1).

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

□ As of 0:00, 17 July, there were 39 imported cases, of which, 25 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 14 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 39 new imported cases are: Americas (8) (8 from US), and Asia excluding China (31) (20 from Russia, 6 from Iraq, 3 from the Philippines, and 2 from Uzbekistan).

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

○ From the Russia-flagged ship REGUL that entered Port of Busan on 26 June, 3 were confirmed on 16 July, and upon further testing of sailors on board, 14 were confirmed. In total, 17 have been confirmed to date. 5 cases (3 and 2 respectively) have also been confirmed from two Russia vessels that entered on 15 July and 16 July.

- Due to the rise in the number of confirmed cases from Russian vessels, starting 20 July, all ships from Russia entering Korean sea ports that require extensive contact with domestic ship-related workers will be required to have all sailors tested regardless of symptoms.

* Vessels that require little contact between sailors and Korean ship-related workers will be subject to diagnostic tests only for sailors who show symptoms, as before.

□ KCDC shared recent real-life examples where proper mask wearing prevented further transmission and requested people to practice proper mask wearing in everyday life.

○ (Why do I need to wear a mask?) Mask wearing prevents my respiratory droplets (saliva droplets) from being spread to another person and protect me from exposure to other people's respiratory droplets. Mask wearing is the most effective COVID-19 prevention tool.

   * Not wearing a mask increases the likelihood of infection by 5 times or more compared to wearing a mask (THE LANCET, 2020)

   - In following examples, further transmission was minimized thanks to correct mask wearing despite risky situations such as riding in a small car together with a confirmed case for a long period of time, 7-day hospital stay, and a church service attended by a confirmed case.

○ (When should I wear a mask?) Masks must be worn indoors where it is difficult to keep a distance of 2 m or more from other people.

   - Especially when using indoor facilities where you come into contact with multiple people (e.g. medical institutions, public transportation, religious facilities, schools, offices, restaurants, etc.),

   - People who have jobs related to caring for high-risk individuals such as caregivers for the elderly should make proper mask wearing an everyday habit.

   - According to a survey (source: Hankook Research weekly report) on public perception on mask wearing, people of all age groups believe that mask wearing is necessary when in public places such as public transportation, grocery stores, and PC cafes.

   - However, there was low awareness of the need for mask wearing in places such as restaurants, cafes, and bars, which are environments with high COVID-19 transmission risk.

   - Restaurants, cafes, bars/pubs, and offices/workplaces often make it difficult to keep a distance of 2 m or more, so mask wearing is essential in such places.

   - In restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs, masks should be worn while not eating, including when ordering and while waiting for food.

○ (When do I not need to wear a mask?) Masks wearing is not necessary when in outdoor space where it is possible to stay 2 m or more away from other people, such as when walking, running, biking, and climbing outdoors in the streets, parks, mountains, and seas, and it is possible to maintain a distance of 2 m or more from others.

  - Infants under 24 months of age, and those who have difficulty breathing with a mask on do not have to wear a mask.

○ (How should I wear a mask?) ▴Cover your mouth and nose completely, ▴The surface of the mask should not be touched as much as possible, and ▴Wash your hands before and after wearing a mask.

  - When putting on a mask: Completely cover the mouth and nose, with a snug fit so that there is no gap between the face and the mask

  - After putting on a mask: In order to prevent contamination through hands, do not touch the mask surface as much as possible, and take off the mask by the strings only

  - Before and after wearing a mask: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds.

□ KCDC urged people to refrain from social gathering and to comply with the infection prevention guidelines during the weekend.

 ○ Cancel use non-face-to-face methods for religious events and small group gatherings

   - If having on-site events, minimize on-site attendees, maintain 2m distancing, require mask wearing at all times, replace singing with instrumental music, and avoid group meals or small group meetings.

 ○ In addition, since COVID-19 transmissions can occur in any closed, crowded, and close-contact spaces, KCDC requests that people avoid publicly used facilities such as nightlife venues, singing rooms, and PC cafes.

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

TOTAL

Seoul City

Incheon City

Gyeonggi Province

Daejeon City

Gwangju City

[ Age distribution of severe cases ]