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The updates on COVID-19 in Korea as of 18 August
  • Date2020-08-18 17:45
  • Update2020-08-18 17:47
  • Division Division of Risk assessment and International cooperation
  • Tel043-719-7556

Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea


18 August  2020



□  As of 0:00, 18 August 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 15,761 (including 2,662 imported cases), of which 13,934 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 235 new local cases, 11 new imported cases, and 1 new death.


Overall case and test status, as of 0:00, 18 August (cumulative since 3 January 2020)

 

Period

(since 3 Jan)

Total

Tested positive (PCR)

Testing in progress

Tested negative (PCR)

Confirmed

Discharged from isolation

Under isolation

Deceased

As of 0:00

17 August (Mon)

1,688,470

15,515

13,917

1,293

305

22,964

1,649,991

As of 0:00

18 August (Tues)

1,697,042

15,761

13,934

1,521

306

25,219

1,656,062

Difference

+8,572

+246

+17

+228

+1

+2,255

+6,071

 

* Based on case data reported to the KCDC

Figures subject to correction based on findings from epidemiological investigations

 


Major local clusters as of 12:00 today (18 August):

* 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 Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul City, 138 additional cases were confirmed from contact investigation. In total, 457 cases have been confirmed.

  - 432 cases total in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi

  - 25 cases in other areas

 

  - Secondary transmissions found include venues such as Antioch Church (15), Lotte Home Shopping Media Seoul Center (7), NH Card Call Center (4), K Kukmin Savings Bank Call Center (2), Saemaeum Convalescent Hospital (1), Amsa-dong Domiciliary Care Center for the Elderly (1). Further investigation is underway.

 

  - Based on the information of 4,066 Sarang Jeil Church members obtained as of 0:00 today, the church’s membership is geographically diverse across the country, causing concerns for possible nationwide spread of the virus.

 

  - It is difficult to determine exact time and place of exposure of the confirmed cases related to the church. Since there is possibility of repeated exposure and transmission through multiple church related activities, all members and visitors who visited the facility since 27 July are requested to get tested as soon as possible irrespective of whether they have symptoms.

 

  - At least 10 confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church have been found to have attended the rallies/protests on 8 August near Gyeongbok Palace and on 15 August Gwanghwamun Plaza. Therefore, all people who attended either of these rallies are requested to get tested as soon as possible irrespective of symptoms.

 

Related to Gold Train (Gangnam-gu, Seoul City) / Yangpyeong-gun group gathering, 15 additional cases were confirmed while under self-quarantine. In total, 73 cases have been confirmed.

 

Related to Doesaegim Church in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case was confirmed while under self-quarantine. The new case is a friend/acquaintance of church member. In total, 12 cases have been confirmed.

 

Related to Okestro (a software developer company) in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case was confirmed while under quarantine. In total, 8 cases have been confirmed.

 

Related to Youido Full Gospel Church in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul City, 3 additional cases were confirmed after first case was confirmed on 15 August. In total, 4 cases (2 church members and 2 family members) have been confirmed.

 

Related to Seoul Hyehwa Police Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul City, first case was confirmed on 15 August and 4 additional cases were subsequently confirmed. In total, 5 cases have been confirmed.

 

Related to Woori Jeil Church in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province, 16 additional cases were confirmed from testing of church members and contacts. In total, 147 cases have been confirmed.

  - 142 cases total in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi

  - 5 cases in other areas

 

Related to Starbucks Paju Yadang Station Branch in Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province, 7 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 49 cases have been confirmed.

 

Related to Jukjeon High School and Daeji High School in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province, 2 additional cases were confirmed while under self-quarantine. The new cases are parents of Daeji High index case. In total, 15 cases have been confirmed.

 

Related to Youngjin Bolt in Sasang-gu, Busan City, first case was confirmed on 15 August and 3 additional cases were subsequently confirmed. In total, 4 cases have been confirmed.

 

Related to a nightlife entertainment venue in Sangmu Jigu, Gwangju City, 3 additional cases were confirmed while under self-quarantine. In total, 17 cases have been confirmed.

 

Related to family in Suseong-gu, Daegu City, 4 additional cases were confirmed after a confirmed case from Seoul visited his/her family in Daegu prior to testing positive. In total, 5 cases have been confirmed.

 

 

 

□  As of 0:00, 18 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. 6 were Korean nationals and 5 foreign nationals.

 

The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 9 new imported cases are:

  - Asia excluding China: Kazakhstan 1, Pakistan 1, Philippines 1

  - Europe: France 2

  - America: Chile 1, Mexico 1, US 1

  - Africa: Ethiopia 1, Gabon 1, Guinea 1

 

 

□  KCDC noted that the virus strain D614G found in Malaysia is presumed to be clade G (G, GH, GR) which have been spreading in Korea, North America, and Europe since April, rather than a new mutation.

D614G has been reported to be 2.6-9.3 times more effective than wild type at transducing cells. No direct evidence of higher transmissibility has been reported to date.

 

□  KCDC has supplied remdesivir, specially imported for COVID-19 treatment, to all 128 patients in 35 hospitals that have applied for the drug.

 

□  KCDC shared the result of recent survey on public perception of COVID-19 and asked the public to stay vigilant and carefully follow infection prevention guidelines.

 

The 13th COVID-19 Public Perception Survey found that the percentage of respondents who responded that “Domestic COVID-19 transmission situation is serious” (“Agree” / “Strongly Agree”) has decreased by 28 percentage points during the month of July. Also, only 12% responded positively to “I could get infected with COVID-19”.

 

KCDC reminds the public that COVID-19 can infect anyone and in any place with confined, crowded, and close-contact environment and requests everyone to follow infection prevention guidelines and cancel or postpone all non-essential outings, gatherings, events, and travel.

 

In coffee shops and restaurants, it is difficult for users of such facilities to keep masks on while eating or drinking, and droplet-producing activities such as conversations often take place for an extended period of time.


Guidance for the public visiting coffee shops and restaurants:

- Utilize takeout or delivery rather than dining in

- If dining in,

avoid rush hours

keep mask on except while eating or drinking

minimize duration of stay in venue

  - In Seoul and Gyeonggi areas with Level 2 Social Distancing applied, infection prevention guidelines compliance is mandatory for restaurants sized 150or above, including keeping visitor logs, ensuring mask wearing, and maintaining 2m distancing among users.

 

□  In light of the recent cases related to church clusters in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, KCDC urged churches in the areas to follow the recent order restricting of mass gathering and making infection prevention guidelines mandatory effective 15 August.

Religious facilities can continue regular worship service/mass as long as they keep the following guidelines:

  ▴No face-to-face gatherings or events other than regular service/mass

  ▴No loud singing/praying/talking during regular service/mass

  ▴No meals

  ▴Install and maintain electronic visitor log

  ▴Check symptoms of visitors and restrict entry of symptomatic persons

  ▴Designate infection prevention control manager

  ▴Ensure mask wearing

  ▴Disinfect before and after event and keep disinfection log

  ▴Maintain 2m distancing among facility users

Since there is possibility of transmission to other regions of the country, churches in all other areas of the country are also advised to follow the guidelines as precautionary measure.

 

 

□  Social Distancing level has been raised to Level 2 for Seoul City and Gyeonggi Province starting 16 August. KCDC asks residents of Seoul and Gyeonggi area to follow the Social Distancing Level 2 Guidelines.

Public Guidance for Level 2 Social Distancing

Do not go to work if feeling sick

- Call KCDC call center by dialing 1339 or contact local public health center or screening clinic

Postpone or cancel non-essential outings, social gatherings, events, or travel

- Essential travel includes getting medical care, buying necessities, or to going to work

- At restaurants or cafes, order takeout rather than dining in

- Home training is recommended in place of going to gyms

- For social activities, utilize PC or smartphones to have online meetings

- Use online shopping over physical stores

If going out, wear mask and follow infection prevention guidelines

- Do not visit crowded, confined, and close-contact places with poor ventilation

- Wear mask indoors as well as outdoors whenever 2m distancing can’t be maintained

- Maintain physical distance from other people (2m recommended, 1m minimum)

- No droplet-producing activities such as shouting, singing out loud, or chanting

- No physical contact with others such as handshakes or hugs




REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL LINKS OF CONFIRMED CASES

 

Region

Confirmed cases

Other major clusters

Total

Imported cases

Clusters

Other*

New cases

Sub-

total

Shin-

cheonji cluster

Other local clusters

Contacts of confirmed cases

Linked to imported cases

Seoul

2,209

373

1,466

8

1,387

71

125

245

132

 

Large clusters:

Nightclubs (277)

Richway (208)

Guro-gu call center (170)

Coupang fulfillment center (152)

Gwangju door-to-door sales (150)

Fitness/sport facility in Cheonan (123)

Newly planted churches group (119)

 

 

Recent clusters:

Sarang Jeil Church

Woori Jeil Church

Gold Train

Paju Starbucks

Nightlife venue in Gwangju

Busan National Mechanical Technical High School

Doesaegim Church

Family in Busan

Okestro at IFC

Hyehwa Police Station

Family in Ulsan

Euncheon Convalescent Hospital

Korea IT Academy

Jukjeon/Daeji High Schools

 

Busan

222

44

120

12

96

12

30

28

7

Daegu

6,954

65

5,218

4,512

702

4

930

741

6

Incheon

433

83

316

2

306

8

13

21

18

Gwangju

239

36

193

9

178

6

1

9

4

Daejeon

170

20

105

2

103

0

26

19

0

Ulsan

68

29

28

16

8

4

8

3

3

Sejong

50

5

41

1

40

0

3

1

0

Gyeonggi

2,020

464

1,299

29

1,204

66

112

145

52

Gangwon

84

24

52

17

34

1

4

4

2

Chung-

buk

87

20

43

6

35

2

10

14

1

Chung-

nam

216

37

159

0

158

1

8

12

5

Jeonbuk

51

26

17

1

16

0

5

3

7

Jeonnam

42

24

13

1

10

2

3

2

0

Gyeong-

buk

1,417

38

1,056

566

490

0

193

130

3

Gyeong-

nam

170

56

87

32

53

2

13

14

0

Jeju

26

15

7

0

6

1

4

0

0

Ports of Entry

1,303

1,303

0

0

0

0

0

0

6

Total

15,761

2,662

10,220

5,214

4,826

180

1,488

1,391

246

(%)

(16.9)

(64.8)

(33.1)

(30.6)

(1.1)

(9.4)

(8.8)

* Not classified into a cluster or under investigation

The interim classification is based on the reporting location, which may change depending on further epidemiological investigation.


AGE DISTRIBUTION OF SEVERE CASES

 

8.5

8.6

8.7

8.8

8.9

8.10

8.11

8.12

8.13

8.14

8.15

8.16

8.17

8.18

Total

14

18

18

17

16

16

15

15

15

14

14

13

13

9

Severe

8

11

11

10

9

9

7

8

7

6

7

6

6

4

Very severe

6

7

7

7

7

7

8

7

8

8

7

7

7

5

 

Total

Severe

(

%

)

Very severe

(

%

)

Total

9

4

(

100

)

5

(

100

)

80 and above

2

2

(

50.0

)

0

(

0.0

)

70-79

4

1

(

25.0

)

3

(

60.0

)

60-69

3

1

(

25.0

)

2

(

40.0

)

50-59

0

0

(

0.0

)

0

(

0.0

)

40-49

0

0

(

0.0

)

0

(

0.0

)

30-39

0

0

(

0.0

)

0

(

0.0

)

20-29

0

0

(

0.0

)

0

(

0.0

)

10-19

0

0

(

0.0

)

0

(

0.0

)

0-9

0

0

(

0.0

)

0

(

0.0

)




IMPORTED CONFIRMED CASES


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NEW CASES (LAST 2 WEEKS) BY CHAIN OF TRANSMISSION


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