Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

4 August, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 4 August 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 14,423 (including 2,482 imported cases), of which 13,352 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 13 new local cases, 21 new imported cases, and 0 new deaths.

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 4 August) 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 a coffee shop in Gangnam-gu, Seoul city, and a restaurant in Yangjae-dong, Seoul City, 2 additional case were confirmed. In total, 12* cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to a military garrison in Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, 1 additional case was confirmed. The new case is a soldier who was educated by instructor who is suspected to be the source patient, and initially tested negative and later tested positive before release from quarantine. In total, 22* cases have been confirmed.

* soldiers = 19 (+1), instructors = 2, family member of instructor = 1

□ As of 0:00, 4 August, there were 21 imported cases, of which, 7 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 14 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. 7 were Korean nationals and 14 foreign nationals.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 21 new imported cases are: Americas (11) (US 9, Mexico 2), Africa (4) (Egypt 1, Sudan 1, Ethiopia 1, Senegal 1), and Asia excluding China (6) (Russia 2, Uzbekistan 2, Kazakhstan 1, Bangladesh 1).

○ Yesterday, on-board quarantine inspection was conducted on 67 vessels (46%) of the 146 vessels that entered 11 harbors nationwide.

○ In response to the increase of imported cases, 6 countries have been designated and managed as countries subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention, and have been subject to preventative measures such as requiring all foreign nationals coming from the designated countries to submit a negative PCR test result upon entry.

- From 13 July to 3 August, 548 individuals entered Korea from countries subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention, of which 512 submitted a negative PCR test result.

- 14 did not meet the requirements, of which 9 were repatriated back to their countries of origin. 5 underwent PCR tests in Korea, as the policy was during the transitional early guidance period.

- Among those who turned in negative PCR test results, 22 individuals were confirmed, of which 18 were confirmed at the point of entry and 4 were confirmed while in mandatory self-quarantine.

- 36, consisting of 34 Philippine nationals in transit to another flight and 2 infants, did not submit test results, of which 1 infant was confirmed at the point of entry.

○ Imported cases coming from countries subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention are declining.

- KCDC will continue to conduct regular risk assessment based on the overseas outbreak situation and the number of imported cases in Korea. Necessary measures, such as screening and quarantine, will be taken to prevent the importation of cases.

□ KCDC announced that among the 365 Korean construction workers evacuated from Iraq in response to the worsening local situation and to protect the health and safety of Korean nationals (1st evacuation: 293, 2nd evacuation: 72), there were no new confirmed cases. In total, 99* cases were confirmed (1st evacuation: 77, 2nd evacuation: 22).

○ The 270 individuals who tested negative are also undergoing quarantine at designated temporary residential facilities* to prevent local community transmission until 7 August (24 July ~ 7 August) for workers who were repatriated during the 1st evacuation and until 14 August (1 August ~ 14 August) for workers who were repatriated during the 2nd evacuation.

□ KCDC revealed that 1,136 fully recovered patients (including 38 additional participants) have signed up to donate their plasma for the development of COVID-19 plasma therapy. Plasma collection has been completed for 768 of the donors (35 additional participants) as of today.

* Plasma therapy requires a large amount of blood as it involves formulating a concentrated form of the antibodies and immunoglobulin from the blood of people who have recovered from COVID-19.

○ KCDC again expressed gratitude for the additional people who signed up and have donated their plasma, and encouraged more eligible people* to participate.

* Participating hospitals: Korea University Ansan Hospital, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu Fatima Hospital / For inquiries, dial 1522-6487

○ Plasma collected at 6 medical facilities* from patients in their recovery period has been administered to 24 COVID-19 patients (1 additional).

* Soonchunhyang University Hospital Blood Center, Gangneung Asan Hospital Blood Center, Inha University Hospital Blood Center, Sinchon Severance Hospital Blood Center, Korea University Ansan Hospital Blood Center, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital Blood Center

□ KCDC shared progress related to the antibody treatment for COVID-19.

○ The antibody treatment has been authorized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on 17 July and is in phase 1 clinical trial domestically. On 29 July, UK authorized phase 1 clinical trials, and patient recruitment is underway.

□ KCDC revealed that all 108 severe/critical patients in 33 hospitals who submitted their requests were supplied with remdesivir, specially imported for COVID-19 treatment.

□ KCDC analyzed COVID-19 transmission risk factors based on report made through to the Safety Sinmungo* e-Report, and stressed the importance of keeping COVID-19 prevention guidelines in the upcoming weekend.

* Reports related to COVID-19 guidelines can be made through the Sinmungo app (Android, iOS) or at www.safetyreport.go.kr

○ Recently reported incidents and risk factors included:

- Many people not wearing masks and conversing for a long duration (5~6 hours or more) at a cafe, without the manager’s intervention

- Restaurant buffets not equipped with plastic gloves and hand sanitizers, risking transmission through utensils that came into contact with multiple people

○ Since the close-contact setting and low mask compliance of cafes or restaurants increase the likelihood of transmission, the public are advised to follow the prevention guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

- Utilize delivery services or to-go options rather than dining at a restaurant or drinking at a cafe. When visiting a cafe or a restaurant, make sure to wear a mask, avoid busy hours, and minimize the duration of your visit.

- Before food consumption, wash your hands, disinfect using hand sanitizer, and use plastic gloves or disinfect your hands before and after using shared tongs, plates, or spoons.

- Wear a mask when not consuming food or drink. Refrain from droplet-producing conversations while eating, and when talking on a mobile phone, wear a mask and step outside before continuing on with your conversation.

□ KCDC stressed the importance of infectious disease prevention in relation to the recent damage and flooding caused by heavy rain.

○ In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, people displaced by natural disasters need to keep COVID-19 prevention guidelines while in temporary shelters.

- Managers of temporary shelters should

▴check the temperature of shelter users entering or exiting the facilitiy

▴regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items

▴ventilate at least twice a day

- Users of temporary shelters should

▴wear a mask

▴wash hands

▴keep a 2m distance from others

○ In addition, guidelines for action and prevention of infectious diseases after flooding were publicized.

- If your house has been flooded, food preserved in the refrigerator and food remaining at the house are not safe and should be disposed of.

- Before consuming food or after coming into flood water, wash your hands with soap and running water.

- Since water sources may be contaminated with pathogens (germs, virus, protozoans) or chemicals after flood, the following is advised:

▴Only drink packaged or bottled water

▴Do not drink water with a strange smell or oil on the surface

       ▴Until safe water can be procured, only used bottled or packaged water for cooking or brushing your teeth.

IMPORTED CONFIRMED CASES