Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

18 June 2020

□ As of 0:00, 18 June 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 12,257 (including 1,379 imported cases), of which 10,800 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 59 in total.

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

○ As of 0:00 18 June, there are 8 imported cases, of which 2 are from Americas, 2 are from Europe, and 4 are from Asia excluding China (2 from Kazakhstan, 2 from Turkey).

○ Related to Richway in Gwangak-gu, Seoul, 4 additional cases were confirmed. The new cases were contacts under quarantine. In total, 180* cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to new planted churches in the Seoul Metropolitan Region, 2 additional cases were confirmed. The new cases were contacts under quarantine. In total, 119* cases have been confirmed.

* Church related = 41; Contacts = 78 / By region: Incheon = 57; Seoul = 37; Gyeonggi = 25

○ Related to Sungsim Day Care Center in Dobong-gu, Seoul, 3 additional cases were confirmed under contact management. In total, 38* cases have been confirmed.

* Users = 24; Staff/workers = 5; Family and others = 9

※ The spouse (confirmed 11 June) of the index patient (confirmed 10 June) have passed away.

○ A safety worker (guiding traffic at construction site) working at City Hall Station in Jung-gu, Seoul City was confirmed on 15 June, and 4* contacts were additionally confirmed.

* Coworkers = 2; Family = 2

○ Related to the Seoul Eunpyeong-gu family, 5 additional cases were confirmed under contact management. In total, 12 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to Korea Campus Crusade for Christ, 1 additional case was confirmed under contact management. In total, 14 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to Gusung Psychotherapy and Counseling Center Bucheon Branch in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, 1 additional case was confirmed. In total, 5* cases have been confirmed.

* Worker = 1; Visitors = 4

○ Related to Dreaming Church in Galma-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon City, 3 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 7 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to door-to-door sales* in Goejeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon City, 7 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 18** cases have been confirmed.

* Business names: Healing Land 23, Nature Health Healing Center, Doni Market

** Visitors = 12; Contacts = 6

○ A student at Jeonju Girls High School in Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk Province has been confirmed. The school premise has been disinfected and 963 people related to the school and after-school private academy have been tested. No additional case has been confirmed.

□ KCDC noted that COVID-19 transmissions are occurring through various channels including religious small group meetings, club meetings, and door-to-door sales and expressed concern that a massive nationwide wave may occur if the transmissions continue and lead to a large number of people in a closed and crowded environment.

○ Recent major outbreaks occurred in underground or otherwise enclosed and poorly ventilated spaces where respiratory droplet producing activities such as singing, eating, tea time, or sporting activities took place. Preventive measures like mask wearing and hand hygiene were not followed well.

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

○ People aged 65 or older should particularly avoid enclosed places where people tend to gather, especially if such places do not have windows or otherwise have poor ventilation.

- 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.

- The elderly are also advised to take care of any chronic medical conditions and exercise regularly.

□ Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH) is working to help industry, academia, and research experts collaborate for development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

○ Since the announcement of opportunities for private sector organizations to apply for the use of public Biosafety Level 3 facilities, 13 institutions have submitted applications. KNIH encourages interested institutions to apply.

□ KCDC expressed gratitude for the 162 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

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

TOTAL

Gyeonggi Province

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