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

□ As of 0:00, 24 August 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 17,665 (including 2,734 imported cases), of which 14,219 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 258 new local cases, 8 new imported cases, and 0 new deaths.

□ Major local clusters as of 12:00 today (24 August):

* The specific figures below may differ from the daily reported statistics 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, 34 additional cases were confirmed from contact investigation. In total, 875 cases have been confirmed.

- 822 cases total in capital area (Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi)

- 53 cases total in other areas (Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Gyeongbuk)

- To date, 115 confirmed cases of further transmissions from Sarang Jeil Church have been found related to 21 venues. Transmission is likely ongoing. Epidemiological investigation is underway of 186 facilities to prevent further transmission.

○ Related to August 15 Gwanghwamun rally, 40 additional cases were confirmed from investigation. In total, 176 cases have been confirmed.

- Cases with no relation to Sarang Jeil Church found according to basic investigation; may change with new findings in further investigation

○ Related to Yoido Full Gospel Church in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul City, 6 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 41 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to Woori Jeil Church in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province, 2 additional cases were confirmed while under self-quarantine. In total, 182 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to Galilee Church in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon City, 6 additional cases were confirmed from contact investigation. In total, 38 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital in Cheonan city, Chungnam Province, first case was confirmed on 22 August and 9 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 10 cases have been confirmed.

○ The HomePlus food court cluster from Suncheon-si, Jeonnam Province has been found to be linked to Muhan 9roup in Gwangak-gu, Seoul City. The clusters have been reclassified. Since the first case on 20 August, 24 additional cases were confirmed from contact investigation. In total, 25 cases have been confirmed.

- HomePlus food court index case visited Muhan 9roup business information seminar.

□ As of 0:00, 24 August, there were 8 imported cases, of which 4 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 4 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. 3 were Korean nationals and 5 foreign nationals.

○ Infection acquisition location (presumed):

- Asia excluding China: Russia 3, Bangladesh 1, India 1

- Europe: Ukraine 2

- Americas : US 1

□ Last two weeks’ COVID-19 statistics:

○ Average daily new cases increased by over 13-fold

○ The greater capital region (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi) account for a high percentage of cases

○ Average daily new imported cases decreased by 9.5 cases

○ Number of local clusters rose by more than threefold

○ Percentage of cases with unknown chain of transmission increased by 18.5%

○ Percentage of elderly cases (60 or older) increased

○ Percentage of severe/critical cases also increased

○ Recently, the mass infections in the capital region (related to religious facilities, rallies, door-to-door sales, etc) are spreading to various places including restaurants, cafes, public venues, and workplaces nationwide.

□ KCDC requests municipal governments to ensure social distancing compliance through active inspection and management and asks the public to follow infection prevention guidelines.

○ Churches need to switch all services to non-face-to-face services and should not host face-to-face gatherings or meals.

○ Publicly used facilities need to ventilate frequently and ensure that all staff and users wear masks while indoors at all times

○ At healthcare facilities (including convalescent hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, dialysis hospitals) and social welfare facilities used by high-risk groups likely to develop severe symptoms if infected,

▴Staff members need to avoid attending social gathering

▴Test people who show symptoms as soon as possible

▴Disallow visitations

▴Follow infection prevention guidelines including mask wearing

○ Door-to-door sales businesses, which are high-risk facilities, need to comply with the gathering ban.

- Middle aged and elderly people should avoid business seminars or events related to door-to-door sales or virtual currency

○ People who received a text message from KCDC regarding the August 15 rally need to get tested as soon as possible regardless of which rally they attended or whether they have symptoms

- Even if test result is negative, avoid going out or contacting other people for 14 days and get tested again as soon as possible if symptoms develop

□ Social Distancing level raised to Level 2 has been extended to the whole nation effective today. Follow the guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19.