Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

9 July 2020

□ As of 0:00, 9 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 13,293 (including 1,768 imported cases), of which 12,019 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 28 new local cases, 22 new imported cases, and 2 new deaths.

* Figure differs from yesterday due to correction of duplicate reports (1 case from Gyeongbuk Province)

* 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 Wangsung Church in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 1 additional church member in home quarantine was confirmed. In total, 39* cases have been confirmed.

* Seoul = 30; Gyeonggi = 9

○ Related to a financial institution in Gangnam-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case was confirmed. In total, 8* cases have been confirmed related to this cluster.

* 3 July = 5 / 3 July = 1 / 4 July = 1 / 8 July = 1

○ Related to door-to-door sales group in the Seoul metropolitan area, 1 additional case was confirmed. Also, 3 previously confirmed cases whose source of infection was uncertain have been found to be linked to the Happy-rang Healing Center at Gunpo-si. In total, 34* cases have been confirmed.

* Gyeonggi = 25; Incheon = 7, Seoul = 2

○ Related to the The Joeun Clinic in Seo-gu, Daejeon City, 2 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 12 cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to the door-to-door sales group in Gwangju City, 10 additional cases were confirmed. The new cases are related to Hanwul Nursing Home (2), Ilgok Central Church (2), SM Sauna (2), and workplace of the confirmed case from Ilgok Central Church (4). In total, 105 cases have been confirmed.

* Subject to change based on findings from epidemiological investigation

○ Related to an Gwangju Gosi Hagwon (exam preparation academy) in Dong-gu, Gwangju City, 6 new cases were confirmed. In total, 12 cases have been confirmed.

□  The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 22 new imported cases are: America (8), Africa (1), and Asia excluding China (13) (Kazakhstan=6; Uzbekistan=3; Philippines=2; Iraq=1; Russia=1).

* Figures may change based on findings from ongoing local epidemiological investigation efforts

○ During 8 July, 157 ships entered 11 harbors (seaports) nationwide. On-board quarantine inspection was conducted for 55 ships.

□  The KCDC expressed gratitude for the 49 additional people who signed up to donate their plasma for the development of COVID-19 plasma therapy and encouraged more eligible people to participate. In total, 361 people have registered. Plasma collection has been completed for 158 of the donors 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.

○ People aged 18-64 who have been confirmed with COVID-19, fully recovered, discharged (released) from isolation (at least 14 days ago) are able to participate.

        * Participating hospitals: Korea University Ansan Hospital, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu Fatima Hospital / For inquiries, dial 1522-6487

□  The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced preliminary findings of its study on domestic COVID-19 antibody titer.

○ The KCDC tested the first batch (1,555 in total, collected between April 21st and June 19th) of excess serums remaining from the ‘2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey’* for antibody titer. An additional 1,500 serums (collected between May 25th and May 28th) from patients who received care at medical facilities in south western areas of Seoul** were also tested for antibody titer.

          * Conducts annual probability sampling of 25 households in 192 regions. Approximately 10,000 individuals over 1 year of age are surveyed for health and nutrition. (Appendix 3, available in Korean only)

          ** Guro-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Gwanak-gu, Geumcheon-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu

○ The screening test and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) results: all serums from the 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey came out negative; 1 serum collected in south western areas of Seoul came out positive.

          * plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) : serological test used to quantify the titer of virus-specific neutralizing antibodies (i.e. antibodies that can neutralize the pathogen) out of all antibodies within a subject

○ After a meeting with relevant experts in the field on July 8th

- In addition, antibodies were expected to be less prevalent compared to other countries,* thanks to society’s early collective efforts in response to COVID-19 including voluntary testing, testing capacity, and citizens actively participating in effective social distancing campaigns.

        * Antibody survey results in other countries: Spain, nationwide (5%) / London, England (17%) / Stockholm, Sweden (7.3%) / Tokyo, Japan (0.1%) (Appendix 4, available in Korean only)

○  From here on out, serums collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey will be studied every 2 months. Starting July, antibody titer assay will be conducted on an expanded range of sex, age, and areas to include an additional 3,300 people in the general population including in Daegu and Gyungbuk regions. A more accurate understanding of the level of herd immunity and the prevalence of asymptomatic infections from more detailed surveys will further improve our response against COVID-19.

□  The Central Disease Control Headquarters advised that transmission of COVID-19 occurs in places that lack ventilation, are crowded, and are in close proximity. Therefore, it asked that people postpone meetings and gatherings, while refraining from going to pubs, karaokes, PC cafes, or other publicly used facilities.

- It was requested that citizens regularly wash their hands, wear a mask, and practice social distancing (2m recommended).

[Figure 3: Daily new confirmed cases by chain of transmission]

Gyeonggi Province