Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

6 August, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 6 August 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 14,499 (including 2,520 imported cases), of which 13,501 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 23 new local cases, 20 new imported cases, and 0 new deaths.

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 6 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 the Love Church in Songpa-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case was confirmed in a test conducted prior to their release from quarantine. In total, 22* cases have been confirmed.

* Church members = 20 (including index case, +1), others = 2 (1 acquaintance, 1 family member of confirmed case)

○ Related to a coffee shop in Gangnam-gu, Seoul City, and a restaurant in Yangjae-dong, Seoul City, 2 additional cases were confirmed while in quarantine. The new cases are family members of a previously confirmed case (restaurant owner’s acquaintance). In total, 15* cases have been confirmed.

* Seoul = 2, Gyeonggi = 10 (Including 2 reported as Gyeongbuk), Gyeongbuk = 3 (+2)

○ Related to the Rejoice (Gippeum) 153 Church in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, contact tracing of the index case (clergyman’s wife, teacher at Sanbuk Elementary School, confirmed 4 August) revealed 7* additional confirmed cases (4 family members, 2 church members, 1 index case’s coworker). In total, 8 cases have been confirmed.

* Risk factors: basement floor did not have windows or ventilation system, shared meal after worship service

○ Related to an Islamic worship service in Cheongju City, Chungbuk Province, no additional confirmed cases were detected other than the 6 cases that were confirmed yesterday.

- Test results of all 336 Muslim worshippers who participated in the service on 31 July attended by all confirmed cases returned negative. In-depth epidemiological investigation on the source and route of infection and chains of transmission is underway.

* Index case = 1, household members of index case = 4, acquaintance of index case = 1

□ As of 0:00, 6 August, there were 20 imported cases, of which, 6 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 14 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. 12 were Korean nationals and 8 foreign nationals.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 20 new imported cases are: Americas (7) (US 5, Mexico 1, Brazil 1), Europe (1) (France 1), Africa (1) (Cameroon 1), and Asia excluding China (11) (Russia 4, Uzbekistan 2, Kazakhstan 1, Lebanon 1, Japan 1, Pakistan 1, Philippines 1).

□ KCDC announced that 1,158 fully recovered patients (including 22 additional participants) have signed up to donate their plasma for the development of COVID-19 plasma therapy. Plasma collection has been completed for 772 of the donors (4 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

□ KCDC announced that all 111 severe/critical patients in 34 hospitals who submitted their requests have been supplied with remdesivir, specially imported for COVID-19 treatment.

□ KCDC shared updates on the second domestic COVID-19 antibody titer survey.

○ The second batch of excess serums (1,080 serums, as of 5 August 2020) from the 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, including serums from Daegu, Daejeon, and Sejong, have been collected. After additional serums are collected, antibody titer survey results will be compiled around late August.

- Antibody titer survey is also planned for Daegu and Gyeongsan areas where multiple clusters occurred. Collection of excess serums after diagnosis and testing of 1,800 individuals (out of 3,300 target goal) in Daegu and Gyeongsan areas where multiple clusters occurred is currently underway.

□ 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:

- Weekly door-to-door sales related business briefings, attended by 30 to 50 individuals, held without proper mask wearing

- Not wearing a mask while riding a gondola lift, waiting in line for over two hours without social distancing

- Many people waiting to enter nightlife entertainment venues, in a close-contact setting without wearing a mask

○ Masks prevent the transmission of droplets to and from others, making them an effective protective measure to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 via droplets.

- Mask wearing is required in indoors settings where keeping a 2m distance is difficult and in outdoors settings where keeping a 2m distance is impossible.

- When wearing a mask, follow the guidelines for properly wearing a mask:

▴completely cover your mouth and nose

▴refrain from touching the surface of your mask

▴wash your hands before and after putting on your mask

□ 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 or postpone social gatherings or meetings, while refraining from visiting publicly used facilities, such as entertainment venues, karaokes, and PC cafes.

○ COVID-19 prevention guidelines, such as handwashing, wearing a mask, and keeping a 2m distance from others, should be kept in family/acquaintance meetings, small social gatherings, and everyday life.

□ KCDC stressed the importance of infectious disease prevention for individuals affected by the recent damage and flooding caused by heavy rain.

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

○ Wash your hands with soap and running water before consuming food or after coming into flood 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

○ When using temporary shelters for displaced people, follow the COVID-19 prevention guidelines, including wearing a mask, washing your hands, and keeping a 2m distance from others.

IMPORTED CONFIRMED CASES

NEW CASES (LAST 2 WEEKS) BY CHAIN OF TRANSMISSION