Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

31 July, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 31 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 14,305 (including 2,396 imported cases), of which 13,183 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 14 new local cases, 22 new imported cases, and 1 new death.

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 31 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, 1 additional case that was in quarantine (facility user’s family member) was confirmed. In total, 30* cases have been confirmed.

* facility users = 17 cases, facility users’ family members = 5 cases, acquaintances = 6 cases, trainee = 1 case, family member of trainee = 1 case

○ Related to an office (Yoohwan DnC) in Ganagnam-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case (employee) was confirmed after the individual was tested before release from quarantine. In total, 17* cases have been confirmed

* employees = 10 cases, employees’ family members = 7 cases

○ Related to a camping group in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do, 3 additional cases (family members living in Gimpo, camped together with confirmed cases) have been confirmed. In total, 9* cases have been confirmed.

* Gyeonggi = 7 cases, Gangwon = 2 cases

    (Risk factors) 6 families shared meals together during their camping period, and COVID-19 prevention guidelines, such as wearing a mask, were not properly kept in camping grounds.

□ As of 0:00, 31 July, there were 22 imported cases, of which, 12 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 10 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. The 22 cases consisted of 15 Korean nationals and 7 foreign nationals.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 22 new imported cases are: Americas (5) (US 4, Mexico 1), Europe (2) (Belarus 1, France 1), and Asia excluding China (15) (Uzbekistan 10, Philippines 2, Pakistan 1, Bangladesh 1, Japan 1).

□ As the professional baseball league (KBO League) resumed on 26 July and as the professional soccer league (K League 1) will allow spectators of up to 10% stadium capacity at games starting tomorrow, KCDC asked that people follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines related to viewing professional sporting events.

○ Before attending a sporting event,

▴Buy tickets for the event online

▴Wear a mask while heading to the stadium

○ While attending a sporting event,

▴Wear a mask while in the stadium

▴Sit only at designated seats

▴Do not consume food or drink while at your seat

▴Do not engage in excessive cheering that may lead to the production of or contact with droplets

○ After attending a sporting event,

  ▴Refrain from visiting close-contact settings, such as entertainment venues, restaurants, and cafes

▴While using publicly used facilities, carefully follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines, such as wearing a mask.

□ KCDC expressed concern over COVID-19 transmission during the holiday season, exemplified by the Hongcheon camping group that produced 9 confirmed cases.

○ In order to prevent COVID-19 transmission and to have a safe, leisurely, and relaxed vacation, make sure to go on vacation by family units and, if possible, for a short duration of time. It was also asked that people follow the 3 do’s 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

□ KCDC has reviewed the safety violation reports made through the Safety e-Report and advised the public to continue to follow infection prevention guidelines during the upcoming weekend.

* Where to report COVID-19 safety violations: Website (www.safetyreport.go.kr), mobile applications (iOS / Android)

○ Major examples of violations include:

- Meetings and group gatherings

  ▴drinking and singing on a tour bus without wearing a mask

▴party that took place in a closed underground setting, where people dined together for a long duration of time

- Religious activities

▴holding separate events other than regular weekend service in crowded settings, one case involved a church holding water-related entertainment events and setting up fitting rooms

  ▴religious events for senior citizens taking place in closed underground settings that lack ventilation

Publicly used facilities

▴sauna manager conversing loudly while not wearing a mask, sauna users conversing loudly while not wearing a mask

  ▴people playing games and talking loudly in PC cafes while not wearing a mask

  ▴market vendors greeting customers while not wearing a mask

- It was revealed that behaviors risking COVID-19 transmission were taking place in various settings.

□ KCDC reminded the public that the transmission of COVID-19 can occur in all closed, crowded, and close-contact facilities, and asked that people cancel social gatherings, meetings, and weekend religious events that risk transmission during the weekend, or conduct them in manners that do not involve direct face-to-face contact.

- Especially if religious events are taking place over the weekend,

▴minimize people that are physically present at the event

▴always wear a mask

▴keep a 2m distance from others

▴use instrumental versions of songs in place of singing

▴refrain from sharing meals or attending small group gatherings

- In addition, refrain from visiting publicly used facilities that are closed, crowded, and close-contact settings that risk transmission of COVID-19, such as entertainment venues, saunas, and PC cafes. In every day life, including family/acquaintance gatherings and small group gatherings, carefully follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines, such as properly wearing a mask, keeping a 2m distance from others, and handwashing.

IMPORTED CONFIRMED CASES

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