Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea
11 August 2020

□ As of 0:00, 11 August 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 14,660 (including 2,572 imported cases), of which 13,729 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 23 new local cases, 11 new imported cases, and 0 new death.

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 11 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 Euncheon Convalescent Hospital in Gwangak-gu, Seoul City, 3 additional cases were confirmed after the index case (personal caregiver) was confirmed on 7 August. In total, 4 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to the Banseok Church in Pung-dong, Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, 2 additional cases were confirmed. The new cases are 1 church member and 1 Namdaemun Market merchant. In total, 33 cases have been confirmed.

- In response to multiple cases found among Namdaemun Market merchants, Seoul City has set up a screening clinic at Namdaemun Market and testing people who had exposure.

- Merchants and visitors who were in Namdaemun Market’s Kenedy and Jungang shopping precincts during the probable exposure period indicated below who are experiencing COVID-19 suspected symptoms should visit a local public health center and get tested for COVID-19.

* Kenedy shopping precinct: 30 July – 8 August / Jungang shopping precinct: 8 August – 9 August

○ Related to Rejoice 153 Church in Gyeonggi Province, 1 additional case was confirmed while under quarantine. The new case is a work-related contact, related to Elgoalin Bio door-to-door sales business. In total, 22 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to Junimui Saem Presbyterian Church in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi Province, 4 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 12 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to Yeongjin 607 in Seo-gu, Busan City, 4 additional cases were confirmed. The new cases were sailors under quarantine. In total, 10 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to Bukyung Health High School adult class, 8 additional cases were confirmed after index case was confirmed on 9 August. In total, 9 cases (6 students, 3 family members) have been confirmed. Investigation of contacts and chain of transmission is underway.

□ KCDC shared updates on epidemiological investigation results of military garrison cases in Pocheon and Yangju, Gyeonggi Province.

○ There were 22 cases (19 soldiers and 3 civilians) between 21 July and 3 August related to garrison in Pocheon.

- Infection was presumably introduced to the garrison through an outside guest speaker who gave a lecture on post-discharge career planning. Further transmission occurred through religious activities (3 cases) and dormitory (1 case) within the garrison.

- Of the 25 people who attended the lecture on 16 July (one day before symptom onset of source case), 13 were infected.

- Average incubation period* was 6.1 days (range: 3-7 days).

* time from exposure to symptom onset

- Average generation time* was 5.1 days (range: 2-6 days)

* time difference between symptom onset of successive cases

○ Epidemiological investigation confirmed that transmission is possible prior to symptom onset. KCDC stressed the importance of mask wearing in any indoor space with an a setting susceptible to droplet transmission for an extended period of time.

□ As of 0:00, 11 August, there were 11 imported cases, of which 3 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 8 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. 2 were Korean nationals and 9 foreign nationals.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 11 new imported cases are: Americas (5) (US 5), Africa (1) (Algeria 1), Europe (1) (Moldova 1), and Asia excluding China (4) (Kazakhstan 3, Philippines 1).

□ Regarding the national project on plasma therapy, sufficient quantity of convalescent plasma has been collected and production has begun. Investigational new drug application has been filed with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on 29 July. Once approved, clinical trials will begin to take place.

□ KCDC is sharing anonymized clinical epidemiological information of 5,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases with interested research institutions in order to support evidence-based infectious disease control measures. 9 institutions have been selected after third round of review. KCDC is accepting applications from more institutions interested in COVID-19 research.

○ The 9 institutions will be using the data for:

▴Identifying respiratory risk factors and prognosis of severe COVID-19

▴Analysis of factors that determine clinical characteristics of COVID-19

▴Analysis of differences in prognosis depending on underlying conditions

□ KCDC has supplied remdesivir, specially imported for COVID-19 treatment, to all 116 patients from 35 hospitals that have applied for the drug.

□ KCDC shared about reports of safety violations made through the Safety e-Report Sinmungo mobile apps and website, operated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

○ Examples include:

- Merchants and shoppers without masks in markets

- Children and parents without masks in indoor kids’ cafes

- Large gathering of elderly people without masks, sitting close and singing together, related to door-to-door sales business

○ Masks are effective at protecting both the wearer and others from COVID-19 transmission. KCDC advised the public to utilize masks and follow infection prevention guidelines in everyday life.

- Mask should be worn in indoor spaces where 2m distancing is difficult

- Mouth and nose should be completely covered

- Mask surface should not be touched

- Hands should be washed before and after putting on or taking off mask

□ 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.

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

- For on-site religious events:

▴Keep your mask on while indoors

▴No dining or snacking together

▴Avoid small group gatherings before or after service

□ In light of the recent damage and flooding caused by heavy rain, KCDC stressed the importance of personal hygiene to prevent infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 as well as waterborne infectious diseases.