Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

10 August, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 10 August 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 14,626 (including 2,561 imported cases), of which 13,658 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 17 new local cases, 11 new imported cases, and 0 new deaths.

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 10 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 Banseok Church in Pung-dong, Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, 7 additional cases were confirmed from contact tracing. The new cases are clothing merchants in a building in Namdaemun Market area. In total, 31 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to Rejoice 153 Church in Gyeonggi Province, 1 additional case was confirmed while under quarantine. The new case was a work-related contact, related to Elgoalin Bio door-to-door sales business. In total, 21 cases have been confirmed.

○ From contact investigation for two previously confirmed cases (whose source of infection was not identified), 6 new cases were confirmed related to Ju Nimui Saem Prebyterian Church in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi Province. In total, 8 cases have been confirmed related to this cluster.

* Risk factor: Church indoor space was small and had poor ventilation

□ As of 0:00, 10 August, there were 11 imported cases, of which, 6 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 5 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. 5 were Korean nationals and 6 foreign nationals.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 11 new imported cases are: Americas (3) (US 3), Africa (1) (Burkina Faso 1), Europe (1) (Finland 1), and Asia excluding China (6) (Philippines 2, Bangladesh 2, Russia 1, Afganistan 1).

□ KCDC analyzed the last two weeks’ COVID-19 response situation and risk factors.

1) Based on the date cases were reported

  2) 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

○ During the most recent two-week period, there were 21.4 daily new imported cases on average, down 10 cases from the previous two-week period.

- The number of imported cases have decreased since the implementation of measures for countries designated as subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention.

- In response to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic situation, further necessary measures will be implemented to prevent importation of cases from abroad, including strengthened measures for vessels with confirmed cases including:

▴ Suspension of disembarking, repair, and other activities during the 14 day monitoring period

▴ Re-setting the monitoring period if additional cases are confirmed during the monitoring period

- KCDC also advised that people who return from overseas should comply with quarantine guidelines during the self-quarantine period.

○ During the most recent two-week period, there were 12.1 daily new local transmission cases on average, down 7.8 cases from the previous two-week period.

- The percentage of cases aged 60 or above decreased (48.5% → 44.3%), while the percentage of cases aged 20-39 (17.7% → 19.1%) and 40-50 (31% → 35.1%) increased.

- Clusters continue to occur around religious facilities, door-to-door sales, restaurants, cafes, and others.

○ In light of the recent cases related to small religious facilities and door-to-door sales, KCDC reminded the public of relevant infection prevention guidelines.

- For on-site religious events:

  ▴Keep your mask on while indoors

  ▴No dining or snacking together

  ▴Avoid small group gatherings before or after service

  ▴Cancel seasonal special events such as summer retreats (or replace with non-face-to-face event)

- Elderly and middle-aged people are advised to stay away from gatherings or events related to door-to-door sales, due to the tendency of such events to take place in high-risk settings (close contact conversations for an extended period of time).

○ Due to the continued risk related to summer holidays and school breaks, KCDC is working with municipal governments to conduct on-site inspections of facilities such as nightlife venues, rest areas, academies, study cafes, PC cafes, and singing rooms.

- KCDC asked the public to avoid visiting such publicly used facilities and cancel any large group event that involves overnight accommodation such as summer retreats.

□ KCDC announced the result of additional analysis of nucleic acid sequence of the viruses detected from 776 specimens (597 local, 179 imported) collected from COVID-19 patients.

○ Clades S and V were widespread globally until early April. Since then, clades G, GR, and GH are being widely found. GR is most common in Africa, India, and Russia. GH is most common in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

  * WHO classifies the COVID-19 virus as clades V, L, G, GH, GR, or other based on the amino acid mutation in the nucleic acid sequence of the virus.

○ In Korea, clades S and V were most common prior to early April. Since then, from Yecheon clusters and Itaewon club cluster to today, GH has been commonly found.

  * GH: Coupang fulfillment centers, Gangnam coffee house, Hongcheon camping grounds, Gwangju door-to-door sales
GR: Busan Port Russian vessel, Cheongju foreigner cluster

  * Total 597 cases including GH (437), V (120), S (32), and GR (8)

○ KCDC found 3 cases of a new mutation at the spike protein from the viruses from imported cases.

- Although this mutation does not affect the diagnostic test, further work is needed to study any changes in infectivity or pathogenicity.

○ To avoid waterborne or foodborne infectious diseases, such as bacterial dysentery, typhoid fever, and enterohemorrhagic E. coli:

- Only consume safe food and water (packaged water or boiled water), do not keep cooked food for a long time, and always maintain personal hygiene. Make sure that meals are cooked sufficiently.

○ To avoid infectious eye diseases (keratoconjunctivitis, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis) and skin diseases while engaged in disaster recovery work in flooded areas:

- Wear long boots and waterproof garments when working in flooded areas, as contact with flood water may cause skin diseases.

- Wash parts of your skin that made contact with flood water with clean water.

- If you have fever after working in flooded areas, get medical care from a local hospital or clinic.

IMPORTED CONFIRMED CASES

NEW CASES (LAST 2 WEEKS) BY CHAIN OF TRANSMISSION