Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea
22 June 2020

□ As of 0:00, 22 June 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 12,438 (including 1,441 imported cases), of which 10,881 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 17 in total.

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

○ Of the 6 new imported cases, 2 are from Americas, 2 are from Europe, and 2 are from Asia excluding China (2 from Bangladesh).

○ Related to Richway in Gwangak-gu, Seoul, 4 additional cases were confirmed. The new cases were contacts under quarantine. In total, 198* cases have been confirmed.

* Visitors = 41; Contacts = 157 / Seoul = 112; Gyeonggi = 56; Incheon = 24; Gangwon = 3; Chungnam = 3

○ Related to door-to-door sales in Seo-gu, Daejeon City, 2 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 49* cases have been confirmed.

* Daejeon = 34; Chungnam = 5; Seoul = 4; Jeonbuk = 2; Sejong = 2; Gwangju = 1; Gyeonggi = 1

○ There have been 254 community confirmed cases related to door-to-door sales. Common marketing tools such as mass training, product promotion exhibits, and product demo events tend to involve a large number of visitors gathering in a confined, poorly ventilated space, engaging in conversations for a long period of time, and singing and eating in some events, making it easy for droplet-induced transmission to occur.

- Increasing number of such infections tend to involve middle-aged or elderly population.

○ Central Disaster Management Headquarters announced that it will designate direct-sale promotion facilities such as door-to-door sales as high risk facilities and strengthen management of such facilities in an effort to contain the spread of infections related to door-to-door businesses which involve confined, crowded, and close-contact environment.

* Newly added high risk facilities include: Direct-sales channels (door-to-door sales, multi-level sales, single-level sales), logistics centers, large after-school private academies (capacity 300 or above), buffets (limited to buffet specialty restaurants)

○ With high risk facility designation, owners/staff and users of door-to-door sales businesses must comply with core infection prevention measures beginning 18:00 of Tuesday, 23 June.

- Core infection prevention measures for business owner/staff:

ㆍKeep a strict log of all visitors (install digital visitor log and place handwritten log)

ㆍMust wear PPE including masks while working and strictly follow hand washing and other hygiene maintenance measures

ㆍDisinfect facilities before and after events or other sales activities

ㆍNo performance, singing, or providing meals

- Core infection prevention measures for users:

ㆍCooperate with symptom checks; do not enter if having symptoms

ㆍMaintain 2 meters or more (1 meter at the least) of distance between users

ㆍMust wear PPE including masks

- Failure to comply with infection prevention protocols may result in a fine (up to 3 million won) to the business owner or user in accordance with the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and can be enforced with a gathering ban.

- Sales events attracting elderly people with baits such as free concerts in order to market illegal health supplements or medical devices to them tend to involve a large number of visitors singing and eating together in a confined space with poor ventilation, making it easy for transmission to occur. The elderly are advised to avoid such events.

* People aged 60 or more account for 140 cases (55%) of all confirmed cases related to door-to-door sales

○ Since COVID-19 outbreaks can occur in any confined, crowded, and close-contact environment, KCDC advises postponing or switching to non-face-to-face methods all social gatherings and avoiding high risk facilities such as door-to-door sales facilities and nightlife entertainment establishments.

* High risk facilities include: Nightclubs, bars, standing-room concert halls, karaoke rooms, indoor group fitness facilities (high-intensity group exercise), direct-selling exhibit facilities, logistics centers, large after-school private academies (capacity 300 or more), buffets

- In daily life, hand washing, mask wearing, and physical distancing should also be followed.

□ With heat of summer approaching and daytime temperature expected to rise to 35 degrees today and tomorrow, KCDC urged particular precaution for hot summer illnesses as well as COVID-19.

○ Stay home or rest during heat waves:

- Refrain from going outside during daytime when temperature is high (12:00-17:00)

- People who work in hot environment are advised to adjust working hours to minimize daytime work hours

- People who work in high temperature outdoor environment such as construction sites, farms, or greenhouses are advised to pack sufficient drinking water, move in pairs as much as possible, and move to a cool shaded place if feeling abnormalities in their body

○ Guidance for wearing masks outdoors:

- Although mask wearing is important for COVID-19 prevention, wearing masks in an high-heat outdoor environment may cause serious physical stress such as rise in heart rate, respiration rate, and body temperature. Therefore, masks are not recommended in outdoor environments where it is possible to maintain 2 meters or more of physical distance from other people.

- If physical distancing is not possible, masks should be worn outdoors. People working in such situations should find a place where sufficient distancing is possible and relax with masks off during break times.

○ Guidance for using air conditioners:

- When using an air conditioner, ventilate at least every 2 hours with windows or a ventilator to prevent concentration or spreading of respiratory droplets inside the room.

- Avoid cold air directly blowing on the body and keep the air conditioner on low speed.

○ The elderly aged 65 or above and people with chronic medical condition are advised to avoid leaving home during the day as much as possible as they are vulnerable to both high heat and COVID-19.

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

Gyeongbuk Province