Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea
1 July 2020

□ As of 0:00, 1 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 12,850 (including 1,598 imported cases), of which 11,613 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 36 new local cases and 15 new imported cases.

* Figure changed to correct reporting error found (1 case in Chungbuk was found to be a misreport)

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 1 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 Wangsung Church (congregation of 1,963) in Gwangak-gu, Seoul, 1 additional case was confirmed. In total, 32* cases have been confirmed.

* Seoul = 25; Gyeonggi = 7

○ Related to church member gathering in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province, 1 additional case was confirmed. In total, 9 cases have been confirmed.

○ 6 residents of an apartment complex in Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi Province were confirmed. The 244 residents of the affected building are being tested.

* 1 index case and 1 family member; 4 residents of the same building

○ Related to Gwangneuksa Temple in Gwangju City, 5 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 19* cases have been confirmed.

* Visitors = 8; Contacts = 11

* Subject to change based on findings from ongoing local epidemiological investigation efforts

○ Related to an automobile component manufacturer company in Okcheon-gun, Chungbuk Province, 2 elementary school students were additionally confirmed. In total, 11 cases have been confirmed. Contact investigation is underway.

* 1 index case and 1 family member, 4 coworkers, 3 church members and their family members, 2 friends of church member family (elementary school students)

□ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 15 imported cases are: America (1) and Asia excluding China (14) (Kazakhstan=8; Iraq=3; Philippines=1; Kyrgyzstan=1; Uzbekistan=1).

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

□ KCDC announced that it will strengthen entry screening at sea ports due to the increased need to prevent importation of COVID-19 in light of the recent cluster related to a Russian ship that entered through a port in Busan.

○ Starting 1 July, COVID-19 quarantine inspection required areas will be expanded to all countries and regions of the world.

- Screening will be strengthened for ships with COVID-19 risk based on the risk level of the country the ship departed from (e.g. size of the outbreak in the country/region, history of importation from the country/region, etc), the level of contact among all people on board, and the risk level of the people who are disembarking and entering Korea.

- The number of quarantine stations equipped with capability to conduct COVID-19 tests will be increased from the current 3 stations to 11 stations to ensure a fast testing process.

○ All crew members disembarking to switch shifts will be tested and quarantined for 14 days (self-quarantine or facility quarantine). Foreign nationals under quarantine will be allowed to leave Korea before the quarantine period of 14 days only if their test result is negative.

※ Testing effective 6 July; quarantine effective 13 July (planned)

○ Temporary landing permission for crew will be minimized. When permission is granted, all persons will be required to be tested before landing and will be monitored with the Self-Check app.

* Landing permission will be granted on a limited basis for entering/leaving the country or medical emergency. Application for landing permission must specify purpose and itinerary and note that other activities are not allowed.

○ When loading or unloading cargo, non-face-to-face and contactless methods should be used in principle. Compliance with mask wearing and other infection prevention measures will also be managed.

□ KCDC announced that remdesivir, under special import for emergency use for COVID-19 treatment, will be supplied beginning 1 July.

○ After the decision by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to grant special import* to remdesivir on 3 June, the KCDC has been discussing the import of the drug with the importer, Gilead Sciences Korea, and signed a free supply (donation) agreement** on 29 June.

* The Minister of Food and Drug Safety, upon request by the head of a relevant government agency for use in public health emergency, can allow import of a drug that has not been granted domestic approval

** The quantity supplied not disclosed due to the conditions of the agreement

○ Remdesivir is administered to COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia requiring oxygen therapy. The National Medical Center is entrusted with the selection and monitoring of patients.

- Hospitals with units treating severe COVID-19 patients will need to request the National Medical Center for a supply of the drug. The National Medical Center will consult with the Central Clinical Committee for Emerging Infectious Diseases if necessary to decide patients qualified to receive the drug.

Criteria for selecting remdesivir patient selection

○ KCDC will continue to secure a supply of the drug in cooperation with Gilead Science Korea.

□ In light of the recent suspected school transmission, KCDC urged compliance with infection prevention protocols in schools.

○ Students and staff who have fever or respiratory symptoms in the morning should not go to school. Masks should be worn at all times while in school. Hand washing, cough etiquette, and other personal hygiene measures should be followed.

○ Singing rooms, PC cafes, nightclubs, bars, and other public venues should be avoided.

○ Every person should be checked for fever before entering classroom. If a student is presenting with body temperature of 37.5 degrees or above or has other suspected symptoms, the student should be instructed to put on a KF80, KF95, or KF99 mask and wait in a separate area while the school contacts the student’s parent or guardian.

- When going to a screening clinic to get tested, the person should not stop at any location such as PC cafe, singing room, or convenience store before or after the test and stay at home. At home, contact with other family members should be minimized to prevent transmission to other family members.

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