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

□ As of 0:00, 28 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 14,203 (including 2,329 imported cases), of which 13,007 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 5 new local cases, 23 new imported cases, and 1 new death.

[ Local transmission cases, as of 0:00, 28 July (cumulative since 3 January 2020) ]

※ Americas: US 4, Mexico 2 / Africa: Morocco 2, Algeria 1, Ethiopia 1

Asia ex-China: Kyrgyzstan 7, Bangladesh 1, Kuwait 1, Philippines 1, Qatar 1, UAE 1, Uzbekistan 1

[ Case management status*, as of 0:00, 28 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, 28 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, 1 additional case (visitor’s household member) was confirmed. In total, 10* cases have been confirmed.

* index case and index case’s contacts = 4 cases, related to Shinmyung Investment company = 5 cases

○ Related to an acquaintance meeting in Songpa-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case was confirmed after 1 index case was confirmed on 23 July. In total, 7* cases have been confirmed.

* index case = 1 case, family = 1 case, acquaintances = 3 cases, contacts 2 cases

(Location) Seoul = 5 cases, Gyeonggi = 2 cases

(Confirmation date) 23 July = 1 case, 24 July = 1 case, 25 July = 1 case, 26 July = 3 cases, 28 July = 1 case

○ Related to the Seoul City Hall case, 17* close contacts of the confirmed case have been tested and self-quarantined. Testing of all 171 individuals who work on the 11th floor, where the confirmed case worked, and preemptive testing of 174 individuals who frequently visited the 11th floor are planned, and the route of transmission is under investigation.

* self-quarantine = 17 (16 tested negative, result on the way for 1)

○ Related to the Russian vessel PETR 1, docked at Busan Harbor, 1 additional case (repairman’s family member) was confirmed. In total, 10* cases have been confirmed in the local community.

* repairmen = 8 cases, family/household member of repairmen = 2 cases

□ As of 0:00, 28 July, there were 23 imported cases, of which, 10 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 13 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. The 23 cases consisted of 14 Korean nationals and 9 foreign nationals.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 23 new imported cases are: Americas (6) (US 4, Mexico 2), Africa (4) (Morocco 2, Algeria 1, Ethiopia 1), and Asia excluding China (13) (Kyrgyzstan 7, Bangladesh 1, Kuwait 1, Philippines 1, Qatar 1, UAE 1, Uzbekistan 1).

□ As summer vacation starts for schools this week, KCDC analyzed confirmed cases among individuals aged 3 to 18, and asked that individuals follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines to have a safe summer vacation.

○ There have been a total of 111* confirmed cases among individuals aged 3 to 18 since May. Confirmed cases by age group are as follows: 18 cases (aged 3 to 6); 47 cases (aged 7 to 12), 23 cases (aged 13 to 15), and 23 cases (aged 16 to 18).

* based on cases reported from 0:00, 1 May to 0:00, 25 July (imported cases excluded)

- Routes of transmission from most to least common:

▴Transmission between family members: 67 cases (60.4%)

▴Private education, including academies (hagwons) and private tutoring: 18 cases (16.2%)

▴Publicly used facilities (PC cafes, karaokes, religious facilities, restaurants, etc.): 9 cases (8.1%)

- There was 1 case (Cheondong Elementary School, Daejeon) presumed to have been transmitted within a school.

※ Figures subject to correction based on findings from epidemiological investigations

○ During the vacation period, time spent at academies and the usage of publicly used facilities such as PC cafes and karaokes may increase, which may become vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission and cause setbacks in disease containment progress.

- KCDC introduced the 3 do’s and 3 don’ts for having a healthy and safe vacation and preventing COVID-19 and asked that people follow these guidelines:

- 3 do’s:

▴Wear a mask when indoors or using public transportation, including in academies (hagwons)

* Completely cover your mouth and nose, do not touch the surface of your mask, wash your hands before and after putting on a mask

▴Use hand sanitizers or often wash your hands with soap and running water for more than 30 seconds

▴Maintain a 2m distance (1m minimum) from others

- 3 don’ts:

▴Do not go outdoors if you feel sick, including when you have a fever or a cough

▴Do not visit closed, crowded, and close-contact settings (3C’s), such as PC cafes and karaokes

▴Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

□ KCDC reminded the public that the transmission of COVID-19 can occur in all closed, crowded, and close-contact facilities, and asked that people refrain from visiting publicly used facilities, such as entertainment venues, karaokes, and PC cafes.

○ KCDC asked that COVID-19 prevention guidelines, such as wearing a mask, handwashing and 2m distancing, be always kept in everyday life.

TOTAL

Seoul City