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

□ As of 0:00, 24 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 13,979 (including 2,158 imported cases), of which 12,817 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 28 new local cases, 13 new imported cases, and 1 new death.

[ Local transmission cases, as of 0:00, 24 July (cumulative since 3 January 2020) ]

※ Americas: US 3, Brazil 1

Oceania: New Zealand 1 / Asia ex-China: Uzbekistan 3, Philippines 2, Indonesia 1, Iraq 1, Kuwait 1

[ Case management status*, as of 0:00, 24 July (cumulative since 3 January 2020) ]

* Based on case data reported to the KCDC

※ Figures subject to correction based on findings from epidemiological investigations

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 24 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 the Gangseo Central Day Care Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case (facility user) was confirmed. In total, 21* cases have been confirmed.

* facility users = 14 cases, facility users’ family members = 3 cases, acquaintances = 4 cases

※ Text messages requesting testing have been sent out after investigation revealed that 2 confirmed individuals, related to the Gangseo Central Day Care Center, visited the Seongmin Building in Bucheon City, Gyeonggi Province.

○ Related to an office (V Building, Hanwha Life Insurance) in Gangnam-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case (acquaintance) was confirmed. In total, 26* cases have been confirmed.

* V Building = 9 cases, Hanwha Life Insurance = 17 cases

○ Related to the Love Church in Songpa-gu, Seoul City, the testing of 136 church member has been completed. Results confirmed 10 additional cases. In total, 18* cases have been confirmed.

* church members (including index case) = 17, acquaintance = 1

○ Related to a military garrison in Gyeonggi-do, Pocheon City, 4 additional cases (soldiers) that participated in a religious event (church-related) were confirmed. In total, 21* cases have been confirmed.

* soldiers = 18, instructors = 2, instructor’s family members = 1

* Risk factors: improperly worn mask, singing hymns

○ Related to a family in Gwangju City, 2 additional case were confirmed. In total, 9* cases have been confirmed. Investigation is underway for possible connections with past clusters, such as the Gwangju door-to-door sales cluster.

* family members = 4, acquaintances = 5

□ As of 0:00, 24 July, there were 13 imported cases, of which, 3 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 10 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. The 13 cases consisted of 6 Korean nationals and 7 foreign nationals.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 13 new imported cases are: Americas (4) (US 3, Brazil 1), Oceania (1) (New Zealand 1), and Asia excluding China (8) (Uzbekistan 3, Philippines 2, Indonesia 1, Iraq 1, Kuwait 1).

□ On 8 July, KCDC had conducted on-board quarantine inspection of PERT 1 (Russian vessel, deep-sea fishing boat, 94 sailors on-board) that had entered Busan Harbor on the same day, and found no anomalies.

- However, after a repairman who frequently boarded the ship for repairs since 8 July tested positive on 23 July, 94 sailors were tested, and 32 cases have been confirmed (62 tested negative).

- Investigation is underway to determine the route of transmission for the confirmed repairman and contacts, and known contacts are being tested.

□ In response to the worsening situation in Iraq and to promote the safety and well-being of Korean citizens, 293 Korean construction workers have been evacuated on 2 aerial refueling aircrafts (KC-330) and have safely landed at Incheon International Airport around 10:00 today.

○ A Korean quarantine officer checked the workers’ health before departure, and the workers are currently going through entry screening at a separate gate in Incheon International Airport.

○ Those whose diagnostic test confirms positive will be transported to medical facilities, such as the National Medical Center, or a Residential Treatment Center* to get treatment.

* Employment and Labor Training Institute Residential Treatment Center, Small Business Training Institute Residential Treatment Center

- Individuals who test negative will be subject to 2 weeks(24 July ~ 7 August) of quarantine at a separately prepared temporary residential facility* to prevent local community transmission.

* Construction Management Training Center, Social Service Training Center

○ While the workers quarantine at temporary residential facilities, the government will operate a joint support group to take care of their’ health to the best of its ability.

- Thanks to strict management, not a single case of local community transmission from temporary residential facilities has occurred up to this point, and the government stated that it will do its utmost best to maintain strict preventive management protocols concerning these facilities.

□ To ensure clinical evidence-based response, KCDC is sharing clinical and epidemiological information of 5,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases. In addition to the 9 institutions that have applied and received the data, KCDC will be sharing the data with 8 additional institutions upon 2nd review.

○ The information will be anonymized and disclosed through a secure system to protect personal information

○ The 8 institutions will be using the data to develop prediction models to develop models for prediction of prognosis of COVID-19 patients, prediction of severity of symptoms using artificial intelligence analysis model, and relationship between presence of underlying medical conditions and prognosis of confirmed COVID-19 cases

○ KCDC encouraged field experts will produce scientific evidence to inform its responses to COVID-19. Any institution interested in COVID-19 related research is encouraged to apply.

□ KCDC advised caution in light of recent flood and water damage caused by heavy rains.

○ To avoid flood-related accidents during heavy rain, avoid areas near streams, rivers, beaches, buildings with glass windows or heavy signs that may fall with wind, and rice paddies.

○ In case of natural disasters, KCDC advised that people who are displaced by natural disasters and staying in temporary residential facilities should continue to follow prevention guidelines including mask wearing, 2m distancing, avoiding activities that produce a large amount of respiratory droplets, and staggered seating arrangements for meal times to prevent COVID-19.

□ Japanese encephalitis alert was issued nationwide on 23 July. KCDC advised vaccination and caution.

* From mosquito monitoring, during 20-21 July, Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitos (main vector of Japanese encephalitis) were found in excess of the quantity required to trigger alert

○ Due to the risk of exposure to the Japanese encephalitis virus, KCDC requests the public to avoid mosquitos at home and outdoors and follow infection prevention guidelines.

- Some people infected with Japanese encephalitis experience no symptoms or mild symptoms. Other symptoms include fever, headaches, and among them 30% can reach to death.

- In the Republic of Korea, roughly 20 cases of JE are reported annually for the last 10 years. 90% of reported cases are people aged 40 or higher.

- Children aged between 12 months and 12 years are under the National Immunization Program and to be vaccinated according to the standard vaccination schedule. They can receive vaccination for free at any of the public health centers nationwide as well as designated medical institutions.

- KCDC recommended vaccination for adults who have not received a JE vaccine before and live (or will be visiting) in high-risk areas(near rice paddies or pig farms), as well as foreigners hailing from countries without JE and living in Korea long-term.

□ KCDC advised caution as water damage from the rainy season may also cause an increase of various waterborne and mosquito-borne infectious diseases.

○ To prevent the major infectious diseases that occur in the rainy season, KCDC stressed that:

▴Food and drink should be thoroughly heated before consumption

▴Cooked food should not be kept for long

▴Individual hygiene such as handwashing is very important

○ In areas with flood and water damage, leptospirosis or contact dermatitis may occur due to wounds.

* Leptospirosis may be transmitted through wounded skin exposure to water, soil, or food contaminated animal urine. Major symptoms include headache, jaundice, redness of eyes, muscle pain

□ In light of the upcoming weekend, KCDC advised people to refrain from social gatherings and to follow infection prevention guidelines.

 ○ Cancel or use non-face-to-face methods for religious events and small group gatherings

   - If having on-site events, minimize on-site attendees, maintain 2m distancing, require mask wearing at all times, replace singing with instrumental music, and avoid group meals or small group meetings.

 ○ In addition, since COVID-19 transmissions can occur in any closed, crowded, and close-contact spaces, KCDC requests that people avoid publicly used facilities such as nightlife venues, singing rooms, and PC cafes.

TOTAL

Incheon City

Gwangju City