Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

2 July, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 2 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 12,904 (including 1,608 imported cases), of which 11,684 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 44 new local cases and 10 new imported cases.

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 2 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 in Gwangak-gu, Seoul, 1 additional case was confirmed. In total, 33* cases have been confirmed.

* Seoul = 25; Gyeonggi = 8

○ Related to a family in Gwanak-gu, Seoul City, 7 cases have been confirmed. One of the cases in this family was a student of an elementary school in Dongjak-gu, Seoul City. All 6th graders and staff (180 people in total) are being tested.

○ Related to the apartment complex in Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi Province, 3 residents were additionally confirmed, bringing the total to 9 building residents (from 5 households) confirmed. Also, 5 cases have been confirmed at an indoor fitness center that one of the residents visited. In total, 14 cases have been confirmed in this cluster.

* 1 index case and 1 family member; 7 residents of the same building; 5 related to fitness center

○ 2 students of Daejeon Cheondong Elementary School were confirmed yesterday (1 July), prompting testing of all students and staff of the school and hagwon contacts (308 people in total). No additional cases were confirmed.

○ Related to Gwangneuksa Temple in Gwangju City, a Gwangneuksa Temple case led to a cluster outbreak at Geumyang Building, and a Geumyang Building case transmitted onward to 30 additional cases at their church and work. In total, 49* cases have been confirmed.

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

□ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 10 new imported cases are: America (2) and Asia excluding China (8) (Kazakhstan=2; Pakistan=2; Uzbekistan=1; Iraq=1; Kuwait=1; Bangladesh=1).

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

○ As of 18:00, 1 July, 154 ships entered at 11 sea ports, and 94 ships (61%) have been subjected to on-board quarantine inspection.

□ KCDC expressed gratitude for the 40 additional people (bringing the total to 269) who signed up to donate their plasma for 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 immunoglobulin from the blood of people who have recovered from COVID-19.

○ 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

○ Convalescent plasma therapy has been given to 18 COVID-19 patients in 5 healthcare institutions. 

□ KCDC stated that the COVID-19 treatment costs, including the cost of the drug remdesivir, are paid for by the state in accordance with Article 67(1) of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

□ To ensure clinical evidence-based response, KCDC has decided to share clinical epidemiological information of around 5,500 COVID-19 cases. So far, 8 institutions (5 healthcare institutions, 2 public institutions, 1 school) have applied.

○ The information will be anonymized and disclosed through a secure system to ensure protection of personal information. Any institution interested in COVID-19 related research is eligible to apply at KCDC website (www.kdca.go.kr, 26 June ~ ).

□ In light of the recent spreading of COVID-19 through religious small group meetings and religious events, KCDC urged religious communities to avoid gatherings or switch to non-face-to-face methods, and in the case of an unavoidable on-site event, to refrain from singing (which can cause respiratory droplets to move in air) and have instrumental music instead.

○ Small group meetings should also be refrained, as having conversations for a long period of time in crowded environment can cause transmission of infection.

- When making or answering on a mobile phone inside a restaurant or other crowded indoor space, the call should be taken outside or with mask worn.

□ Recently, the proportion of new cases in regions outside the Seoul Metropolitan Region is increasing. Also, the source of infection is under investigation for over 10% of cases.

○ COVID-19 transmissions from the greater Seoul area have moved to other regions such as Daejeon City and Gwangju Province through door-to-door sales and religious facilities.

○ Since any closed, crowded, and close-contact facilities are vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks, KCDC advises postponing social gatherings and avoiding door-to-door sales events, nightlife venues, bars, singing rooms, and PC cafes.

- Hand washing, mask wearing, and 2 meter distancing are also recommended.

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

○ As of 18:00, 1 July, there are 60 patients including 13 under inpatient care (11 kindergarten students and 2 family members). Among the inpatients, there are 3 dialysis patients (2 kindergarten students and 1 family member).

○ 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 symptoms such as diarrhea do not cook food.

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

TOTAL

Seoul City

Incheon City

Gyeonggi Province

Chungnam Province

[Table 5: Age distribution of severe cases]

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