Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

25 July, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 25 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 14,092 (including 2,244 imported cases), of which 12,866 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 27 new local cases, 86 new imported cases(including 36 laborers returning from Iraq, 32 Russian sailors), and 0 new death.

[ Local transmission cases, as of 0:00, 25 July (cumulative since 3 January 2020) ]

※ America: US 3, / Europe: France 2 / Africa: Tanzania 1, Algeria 2

   Asia ex-China: Iraq 36, Russia 34, Philippines 5, Japan 2, India 1

[ Case management status, as of 0:00, 25 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, 25 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 Shinmyung Investment company in Jongro-gu, Seoul City, after index case was confirmed on 19 July, total of 9* cases have been confirmed.

* Index case, and contacts = 4, Shinmyung investment company related = 4

* Risk factor : After symptom onset(13 July), index case got treated on 14 July at a hospital, but tested on 18 July, 4 days later ⇒ Proactive testing is needed when there is COVID-19 symptoms

○ Related to Gangseo Central Day Care Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul City, 3 cases(facility user =2, trainee =1) were confirmed. In total, 24* cases have been confirmed.

* Facility user = 16, family members of users = 3 acquaintances = 4, trainnee = 1

○ Related to an office (Yuhwan DnC) in Gangnam-gu, Seoul City, 3 additional case (family member) was confirmed. In total, 16* cases have been confirmed.

* Staff = 9; family members of staff = 7

○ Related to an office in Gwanak-gu Seoul City, 2 additional case (family member 1, acquaintance 1) were confirmed. In total, 36* cases have been confirmed.

* Seoul = 13, Gyeonggi = 4, Jeonbuk = 2, Jeju = 5, Gwangju = 11, Jeonnam = 1

○ Related to the Love Church in Songpa-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case was confirmed. In total, 19 cases have been confirmed.

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

○ A government officer from Personal Information Protection Commission at the 3rd floor of Seoul Government Complex Building in Jongro-gu, Seoul city was confirmed. Infection prevention and control measures and contact investigation in ongoing.

○ Related to Russian Vessel (PETR 1) anchored at Shinsun harbor, Busan City, after 1 repairman got confirmed, 7 additional repairemen were confirmed. In total, 8 cases have been confirmed, and contact investigation is underway.

□ As of 0:00, 25 July, there were 86 imported cases, of which, 81 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 5 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. The 86 cases consisted of 43 Korean nationals and 43 foreign nationals.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 86 new imported cases are: Americas (4) (US 3), Europe (2) (France 2), Africa (3) (Algeria 2, Tanzania 1), and Asia excluding China (78) (Iraq 36, Russia 34, Philippines 5, Japan 2, India 1).

○ As mentioned in yesterday’s press briefing, out of the 34 cases from Russia (presumed location of infection acquisition), 32 cases are sailors from PERT 1 who were confirmed as positive from the total of 94 sailors.

- All 32 confirmed sailors have been transferred to Busan Medical Center. From the 12* environment sample acquired during the on-site investigation of the vessel including kitchen hygiene status and etc, COVID-19 virus was found on the pillow of a confirmed sailor.

* 3 samples from pillows, 3 from dining table, 4 from door knobs, 1 from table, 1 from steering gear

- All the Russian vessel anchored at Busan port (total of 14 vessels, 426 sailors, including PERT 1) were tested. Out of 426 sailors, 40 cases were confirmed to be positive and 386 as negative.

* Includes cases from Misrobosba(2 cases, 17 July) Cronstaki (6 cases, 17 July/3 cases, 22 July)

○ Regarding 36 imported cases with Iraq as presumed location of infection acquisition, all are Korean nationals working in Iraq who returned yesterday. As of today 10:00, 35 were additionally confirmed, 11 are re-testing, and 211 were negative out of total 293 returnees. In total, 71 cases were confirmed.

○ In order to strengthen the management of imported cases, KCDC has expanded COVID-19 diagnostic tests from once (within three days after entering the country) to twice (within three days after entering the country and on the 13th day of quarantine).

- From July 20 (Monday), diagnostic test will be carried out to the entire crew of Russian vessels* that has a lot of contact with domestic port workers, regardless of symptoms.

* For vessels with little contact between crew members and local workers, diagnostic testing will be carried out to those with symptoms, as before

- KCDC will continue to conduct regular risk assessment in consideration of trends by the country and the number of imported cases, and take necessary measures such as quarantine and border screening in a timely manner to prevent inflow of cases.

□ KCDC introduced the cases recently reported through Safety E-Report for violation of the distancing in daily life guidelines and asked to comply with the social distancing guidelines and refraining from unnecessary meetings for the weekend.

○ The recent major reports show that the crowd did comply with guidelines as they partied at enclosed basement and had a long meal together,

- And at a food court at the mall, cooks were having conversation without wearing a mask.

 ○ In light of the upcoming weekend, KCDC advised people to refrain from social gatherings and to 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.

[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]