Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

29 June, 2020

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 29 June) 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 Richway in Gwangak-gu, Seoul, 3 additional cases were confirmed. The new cases were contacts under quarantine. In total, 210* cases have been confirmed.

* Visitors = 42; Contacts = 168 / Seoul = 122; Gyeonggi = 57; Incheon = 24; Gangwon = 4; Chungnam = 3

○ Related to Wangsung Church (congregation of 1,963) in Gwangak-gu, Seoul, 1 additional case was confirmed. In total, 28* cases have been confirmed. Over 1,600 have tested negative. The rest are being tested.

* Seoul = 24; Gyeonggi = 4

○ The 74 people related to the preschool at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul (including preschool children and teachers) were tested. 1 additional case was confirmed. The other 73 tested negative.

* Seoul = 9; Gyeonggi = 4; Ulsan = 1

○ Related to Lord Glory Church (congregation of 80) in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, 4 additional cases (2 members and 2 coworkers) were additionally confirmed. In total, 22 cases have been confirmed including the index case. Further investigation on contacts and chains of transmission related to new contacts’ workplace (Emart 24 Gyeonggi Province Icheon-si Yangji SLC logistics center) are underway.

* Seoul = 1; Gyeonggi = 21

○ Related to Central Baptist Church (congregation of over 9,000) in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province, 4* additional cases were confirmed. In total, 7 cases have been confirmed. Symptom monitoring is underway for the 720 people who attended service.

○ Epidemiological investigation on the cases related to a family in Gwangju/Jeonnam region found that the cases were related to Gwangneuksa Temple in Gwangju City. In total, 12 cases have been confirmed. From epidemiological investigation on Gwangneuksa Temple, 76 contacts were found. Further investigation and testing are underway.

* Visitors = 8; Contacts = 4 / * Gwangju = 7; Jeonnam = 3; Jeonbuk = 1; Gyeonggi = 1

□ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 12 imported cases are: America (3), Europe (1), Asia excluding China (8) (Philippines=2; Bangladesh=2; Kazakhstan=2; Russia=1; Pakistan=1).

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

□ KCDC noted that COVID-19 infections are spreading through various religious activities including weekend religious events, religious small group meetings, and retreats, and advised caution accordingly.

※ Information subject to change based on findings from ongoing local investigation

○ Epidemiological investigation regarding religious facilities where many recent cases emerged found:

- Infection prevention measures were not properly followed including poor mask wearing (improper wearing, praise team singing without mask on, etc)

- Large number of activities that can create and transmit respiratory droplets such as singing, eating, and small group gathering

- Some people attended service while having symptoms, causing additional infection

○ Since religious gatherings tend to involve a crowded environment where conversations, singing, and eating take place, making it vulnerable to droplet-induced transmission,

- canceling small group meetings or switching to non-face-to-face methods is recommended; and

- if on-site worship service is held, such facilities are requested to reduce the number of participants to ensure that participants keep proper distance from each other, check participants for fever and other symptoms, ensure hand washing and mask wearing, and

- make sure not to provide meals or engage in activities that release respiratory droplets in the air (such as singing, chanting, and shouting).

□ For the last 2 weeks of cases, local cases (45.8%) and imported cases (34.1%) account for a large proportion, but cases whose source of infection is under investigation is rising, at 11.8%.

○ Since COVID-19 outbreaks can occur in any confined, crowded, and close-contact environment, KCDC advises postponing social gatherings and avoiding high risk facilities such as nightlife entertainment establishments, bars, karaoke, and PC cafes.

- In daily life, hand washing, mask wearing, and 2 meter physical distancing should also be followed.

□ Regarding the Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection outbreak in a kindergarten in Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province, KCDC has been investigating and monitoring the outbreak in cooperation with local municipality and related ministries since 16 June (Tues) when suspected outbreak was reported, and will continue to do so.

○ As of 18:00 of 28 June, there are 114* people with symptoms. In total, 58 cases have been confirmed, including 1 new case who is a family member of a student of the kindergarten with EHEC.

* 111 students of the kindergarten and 3 family members of students

- Currently 21 people (19 kindergarten students and 2 family members) are under hospitalization for inpatient care. In 16 people (14 kindergarten students and 2 family members) had onset of symptoms suspected of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Currently 4 people are receiving dialysis treatment.

○ For prevention of EHEC infection, KCDC advised people to wash hands and maintain personal hygiene, sufficiently cook all food including beef and consume only safe foods, separate cookware, ensure that people with diarrhea or other symptoms do not cook food.

TOTAL

Seoul City

Incheon City

Gyeonggi Province

Daejeon City

Chungnam Province

[Table 5: Age distribution of severe cases]

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