Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

15 July, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 15 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 13,551 (including 1,919 imported cases), of which 12,348 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 11 new local cases, 28 new imported cases, and 0 new deaths.

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 15 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 an office in Gwanak-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case (a visitor) was confirmed. In total, 9* cases have been confirmed.

* Seoul = 4 cases, Gyeonggi = 3 cases, Jeonbuk = 2 cases

○ Related to the V Building in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case (an acquaintance) was confirmed. In total, 9* cases have been confirmed.

* index case =1, visitors = 4 cases, acquaintance and family members = 4 cases

○ Related to Hanwha Life Insurance in Seoul City, 4* additional cases were confirmed after the index case was confirmed on 11 July. In total, 5 cases have been confirmed.

* co-workers = 3 cases, acquaintance = 1 case

○ Related to a construction site in Yuseong-gu, Daegu City, 4* additional case were confirmed after the index case was confirmed on 7 July. In total, 5* cases have been confirmed.

* landlord = 1 case, acquaintance = 1 case, construction worker = 2 cases

□ In response to the continued occurrence of new infections related door-to-door sales, the Central Disease Control Headquarters analyzed the recent Gwangju door-to-door sales cases and advised caution.

○ Epidemiological investigation of the Gwangju door-to-door sales cases revealed:

- While not wearing or not properly wearing (not worn completely, taken off while conversing) a facemask,

- Small and frequent meetings were held in a closed space, such as promotional halls or experience halls, for a long duration of time for product demos and information sessions.

- In addition, people visited public facilities (e.g. sauna, indoors mass-use fitness facilities, etc.) and hospitals/clinics, causing additional infections and leading to rapid local community transmission.

○ In order to prevent local community transmission of COVID-19 through door-to-door sales,

- Middle-aged and senior citizens are requested to refrain from attending business information seminars and promotional events related to door-to-door sales.

- Non-essential small group social events should be cancelled, and a mask should be worn when leaving home.

- If you show symptoms after participating in an event or a meeting related to door-to-door sales, cancel all outings or meetings, and visit a screening center to get tested.

□ As of 0:00, 15 July, there were 28 new imported cases. 23 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 5 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 28 new imported cases are: America (1) (US 1), Europe (2) (Albania 2), and Asia excluding China (25) (Iraq 14, Kazakhstan 3; Uzbekistan 3; Philippines 2; Russia 2; Pakistan 1).

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

○ During 14 July, 151 ships entered 11 harbors (seaports) nationwide. On-board quarantine inspection was conducted for 47 ships.

○ The Central Disease Control Headquarters shared result from Special Entry Procedure and diagnostic tests for sailors disembarking from a Russian vessel (KAIROS: deep-sea fishing boat, 44 sailors in total). The vessel had gone through a sailor shift before re-entry* (8 July) into Busan Harbor. Of the 22 sailors who wished to disembark, 1 case was confirmed positive.

* 16 June: entered Busan Harbor for repairs, 7 July: departed for Oceania, sailor shift conducted in international waters (embarked: 14 sailors, disembarked: 1 sailor), re-entry into Busan Harbor

- Diagnostic tests were administered to sailors who did not disembark, and all tested negative. Testing is in progress for 45 contacts, including a maritime pilot, shipping agency workers, and repairmen.

- On-board quarantine inspection is planned to be strengthened regarding vessels that have recently conducted sailor shifts. As a strengthened measure, vessels that have new personnel (due to sailor shifts, etc.) who embarked within 14 days of harbor entry will be directed to related agencies (Quarantine Stations, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries), as they are subject to on-board quarantine inspection.

□ In response to the recent overseas cases of major infectious diseases* (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Ebola Virus Disease, Plague, Diphtheria) other than COVID-19, the KCDC is analyzing the situation of outbreaks, and is consistently working to prevent domestic importation.

* Infectious diseases that require a high level of isolation/quarantine due to their high case fatality rate or risk of cluster outbreaks

<Overseas Cases of Major Infectious Diseases other than COVID-19, 2020>

○ Since January 2020 to present, there have been no cases of major infectious diseases other than COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea.

- In consideration of the location of case/outbreak and the infectious diseases’ characteristics, the following measures are in force:

▴(Screening/quarantine process) Importation prevented by strengthened entry screening / quarantine process and diagnostic testing for persons coming from at-risk locations

▴(Local community response) Providing information about persons coming from locations of outbreaks/cases to medical facilities, monitoring persons coming from at-risk locations, and maintenance of a stockpile of treatments for the diseases

- The KCDC will continue to monitor and manage the situation of overseas outbreaks/cases.

□ The Central Disease Control Headquarters stressed that the transmission of COVID-19 can occur in all closed, crowded, and close-contact facilities, and asked that people postpone or cancel social gatherings and meetings, while refraining from visiting nightlife venues, karaokes, PC cafes, and other public-use facilities.

○ Prevention measures such as handwashing, mask wearing, and social distancing (2m recommended), should be practiced in everyday life.

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

TOTAL

Seoul City

Incheon City

Gyeonggi Province

Daejeon City

Gwangju City

[ Age distribution of severe cases ]

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