Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

27 July, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 27 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 14,175 (including 2,306 imported cases), of which 12,905 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 9 new local cases, 16 new imported cases, and 1 new death.

[ Local transmission cases, as of 0:00, 27 July (cumulative since 3 January 2020) ]

※ Americas: US 1

   Europe: Belgium 1

   Asia ex-China: Philippines 4, Iraq 3, Russia 3, Kazakhstan 2, Hong Kong 2

[ Case management status*, as of 0:00, 27 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, 27 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 Daycare Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul City, 3 additional cases (2 acquaintances, 1 family member of trainee) were confirmed. In total, 28* cases have been confirmed.

* facility users = 17 cases, facility users’ family members = 3 cases, acquaintances = 6 cases, trainee = 1 case, family member of trainee = 1 case

○ Related to an office in Gwanak-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case (acquaintance) was confirmed. In total, 38* cases have been confirmed.

   * Seoul = 14 cases, Gyeonggi = 5 cases, Jeonbuk = 2 cases, Jeju = 5 cases, Gwangju = 11 cases, Jeonnam = 1 case

○ Related to the Personal Information Protection Commission at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongro-gu, Seoul City, 17 are in self-quarantine, and test results of 57 individuals including those in self-quarantine have turned out negative.

□ As of 0:00, 27 July, there were 16 imported cases, of which, 7 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 9 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. The 16 cases consisted of 9 Korean nationals and 7 foreign nationals.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 16 new imported cases are: Americas (1) (US 1), Europe (1) (Belgium 1), and Asia excluding China (14) (Philippines 4, Iraq 3, Russia 3, Kazakhstan 2, Hong Kong 2).

○ Related to the construction workers who were repatriated from Iraq, 2 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 76* cases have been confirmed.

   * Quarantine Station = 42, residential facilities = 34

□ The KCDC analyzed last two weeks’ COVID-19 control situation along with risk factors.

1) Percentage of cases managed under infectious disease prevention and control system: percentage of new cases that tested positive while under home quarantine

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

○ The routes of transmission of the last two weeks: imported cases (436 cases, 62.6%), local clusters (146 cases, 21%), routes of transmission under investigation (43 cases, 6.2%), imported case-related (11 cases, 1.6%), etc.

* New confirmed cases in the last 2 weeks, categorized by route of transmission (696 reported cases between 14 July 0:00 ~ 27 July 0:00)

- The number of average daily new local confirmed cases was 19.9 cases, compared to 31.8 cases during the previous two weeks (28 June – 11 July). Small-scale transmissions continued to occur at welfare facilities for the elderly, churches, and military garrisons, etc in the Seoul metropolitan area.

<Recent Major Cases>

○ By age group, the percentage of confirmed individuals who were in their 50s or above decreased (41% to 34%), and the percentage of confirmed individuals in their 20s and 30s increased (35.8% to 39.8%).

<Last 4 weeks of newly confirmed cases by age group>

○ During last week (19 July ~ 25 July), 4 patients passed away. 3 were in their 70s and 1 was in his/her 80s. Fatality rate was 24.8% for ages 80 and above and 9.5% for ages 70 to 79.

- Routes of transmission: 1 case involving the Gwangju door-to-door sales cluster, 1 case involving the Daejeon door-to-door sales cluster, 1 case involving a meeting at Gangnam-gu, Seoul City, and 1 case under investigation.

○ As social welfare facilities resumed operations on 20 July, KCDC asked that facility managers, workers, and users adhere to the following guidelines in order to prevent local transmissions:

○ Facility managers:

- Thoroughly disinfect surfaces that often come into contact, including public items, such as wheelchairs, as well as handles and door knobs

- Avoid activities that cause a considerable amount of droplets such as singing

- Space out meal times; avoid talking while eating and sit side by side

- Ventilate often

○ Workers associated with facilities:

- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, do not go to work, and get tested

- Do not visit public use facilities, such as clubs, pubs, karaokes, and PC cafes, while refraining from participating in gatherings and meetings

- Wear a mask and personal protective equipment, wash your hands often, and strictly maintain hygiene while working

○ Facility users:

- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, such as respiratory symptoms or fever, immediately get tested

- Follow COVID-19 guidelines, such as social distancing (2m recommended), hand washing, and mask wearing, while within the facility

○ In response to the increase of imported cases (average 31.4 daily cases during last 2 weeks, up 11.8 from previous two weeks), KCDC designated 6 countries as countries subject to strengthened infectious disease prevention and control, and will continue to formulate practical management plans to prevent importation of cases from abroad.

- The following measures were applied to countries subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention:

▴ Limiting visa issuance and flight

▴ Having regular flights fly under 60% seat capacity

▴ Temporary suspension of non-scheduled flights

▴ Limiting re-entry when departing to countries subject to strengthened infectious disease prevention and control

▴ Requiring all foreign nationals to be in possession of a negative PCR test (that was issued within 48 hours prior to the time of departure), which must be submitted upon entry into Korea

- The designation* of countries subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention led to a decrease of imported cases from 5 of the designated countries, although imported cases from the Philippines slightly increased.

* Date of designation: Pakistan & Bangladesh: 23 June / Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan: 6 July / Uzbekistan & Philippines: 20 July

<Imported cases from countries subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention>

- Starting 0:00 today, those entering from countries subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention are subject to 2 COVID-19 diagnostic tests (1 within 3 days after arrival, 1 on 13th day of quarantine), instead of the prior requirement of 1 COVID-19 diagnostic test (1 within 3 days after arrival), for strengthened management of cases.

- In addition, those disembarking from vessels that have entered a Korean harbor are subject to a mandatory diagnostic test (mandated 6 July) and 14 days of facility quarantine (mandated 13 July), regardless of their nationality, for strengthened maritime quarantine procedures. All sailors from Russian vessels who are in frequent contact with local port workers are required to undergo diagnostic testing, regardless of whether they show symptoms (mandated 20 July).

- In order to prevent the importation of the virus, KCDC will continue to expand strengthened infectious disease control and prevention and require sailors on vessels that departed from designated countries to submit negative PCR test results that have been issued within 48 hours prior to departure.

- Also, in response to the increased number of people coming from overseas, necessary measures to enhance sustainable response against COVID-19 will be undertaken, including having foreign nationals pay for their treatment cost and improving facility quarantine procedures.

□ KCDC gave guidance on how to have a safe vacation during the holiday season, and asked that people comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

○ During the holiday season, beaches and amusement parks (including water parks) become crowded, and restaurants and entertainment venues near tourist attractions may become vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission.

○ In order to prevent transmission, it is asked that people spend this year’s vacation in a safe, relaxed, and resting manner.

○ In addition, it was asked that people keep the 3 dos and 3 don’ts:

- Dos:

▴Wear a mask when indoors

▴Minimize time spent in rest stops and restaurants

▴Maintain social distancing (2m recommended, 1m minimum)

- Don’ts:

▴Do not go on a vacation when you have fever or respiratory symptoms

        ▴Refrain from visiting closed and crowded places, such as entertainment venues, while avoiding crowded vacation spots and busy hours.

▴Avoid activities that produces droplets and physical contact

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

TOTAL

Seoul City

Incheon City

Gyeonggi Province

Daejeon City

Gwangju City

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