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The updates on COVID-19 in Korea as of 24 March
  • Date2020-03-24 16:57
  • Update2020-03-24 17:03
  • DivisionDivision of Risk assessment and International cooperation
  • Tel043-719-7556

Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea


24 March 2020


As of 0:00, 24 March 2020, a total of 9,037 cases (including 171 imported cases) have been confirmed, of which 3,507 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 76 in total.

 

[Table 1. Total confirmed and suspected cases]


Period

(since 3 Jan)

Total

Tested positive

Being tested

Tested negative

Confirmed

Discharged

Isolated

Deceased

As of 0:00

23 March (Mon)

338,036

8,961

3,166

5,684

111

13,628

315,447

As of 0:00

24 March (Tues)

348,582


9,037

3,507

5,410

120

15,440

324,105

Difference

+10,546

+76

+341

-274

+9

+1,812

+8,658

 

Epidemiological links have been found for 80.4% of the total cases; 19.6% are either under investigation or sporadic cases. More details on the epidemiological links within each province or city are shown in Table 2.

 

From Guro-gu call center in Seoul, 2 additional cases (2 contacts under self-quarantine) were confirmed. The current total is 158 confirmed cases since 8 March. (11th floor = 94; 10th floor = 2; 9th floor = 1; contacts = 61)

 

From Hyosarang Nursing Home in Gyeonggi Province, 8 additional cases (resident at the facility = 5; staff = 3) were confirmed while under quarantine. The current total is 14 confirmed cases since 19 March. (Residents = 10; staff = 4)

 

In Daegu, testing has been completed for every person at high-risk facilities. On 23 March, 14 additional cases were confirmed from 3 convalescent hospitals.

 

Starting 22 March, the KCDC is conducting COVID-19 diagnostic testing for every inbound traveler entering from Europe. Yesterday (23 March), of the 1,203 inbound travelers from Europe, 101 were symptomatic and 1,102 were asymptomatic. For more efficient use of quarantine resources, starting 14:00 today, asymptomatic travelers who are Korean nationals (with domestic residence) will be directed to go into self-quarantine at home and get tested at their local public health center within 3 days of arrival (rather than getting tested at quarantine facility before going home for self-quarantine). Foreigners will be quarantined at facility and tested. Persons staying long-term who test negative will go into self-quarantine at home for 14 days.

 

Short-term travelers will be subject to active monitoring. Symptomatic persons will be tested at airport as before. Persons who test positive will be admitted to hospital or isolation facility depending on the severity level assessed for each case. Travel histories of all inbound travelers will be provided to healthcare providers via the International Traveler Information System (DUR/ITS) for reference.

 

Noting that 22 of the 76 (21.9%) new confirmed cases are imported cases, the KCDC urged international travelers to practice extra caution and care. The KCDC strongly recommended that all non-urgent international travel plans be canceled or postponed. Persons who are unable to avoid traveling for a critical reason are advised to refrain from visiting any enclosed facilities or healthcare facilities. Upon entering Korea, they should voluntarily disclose any symptoms and their international travel history and follow appropriate guidelines and instructions, including minimizing movement and physical interpersonal contact for 14 days.

 

Any person who suspect onset of COVID-19 symptoms are advised to call the KCDC call center (1339) or local call centers (area code + 120), ask a local public health center, or visit a screening facility, before visiting a regular healthcare provider directly. All persons who visit a screening center should arrive wearing a mask and in their own car if possible, and disclose their international travel history to the healthcare professionals.

 

The KCDC also advised employers to ensure that employees returning from international business trips do not return to their office for the first 2 weeks upon their return.

 

The KNIH is currently working on developing antibody treatment and conducting a study in collaboration with private and public sector institutions.

 

In light of the continued emergence of outbreaks in various venues such as religious facilities and workplaces, the KCDC urged everyone to participate in enhanced social distancing campaign for the next 15 days (22 March 5 April). Citizens are advised to stay home as much as possible other than for going to work, visiting a healthcare provider, and purchasing necessities. Working citizens are asked to maintain a distance during lunch breaks, refrain from using break rooms and other social venues, and pay closer attention to maintaining personal hygiene (e.g. washing hands).

 

Employers are advised to implement various methods of minimizing person-to-person contact for employees, such as work-from-home and flexible hours systems. Those who show symptoms should be advised not to show up at work. Workers who develop symptoms mid-day should be sent home immediately. The government ordered limited operation of high-risk facilities including religious facilities, some indoor fitness facilities, and nightlife venues. Venues that remain in operation must strictly comply with infection prevention guidelines (e.g. disinfecting, ventilation, distancing, mask wearing) set by the authorities.

 

 

[Table 2. Regional distribution and epidemiological links of the confirmed cases]


Region

Sub-

total

Epidemiological links

Others*

Newly confirmed

n

(%)

Details

Seoul

334

233

(69.8%)

Guro-gu call center (95), Dongan Church-PC Cafe (20), Eunpyeong St Mary’s Hospital (14), Seongdong-gu APT (13), Jongno-gu (10), Shincheonji (6), Seongnam Grace River Church (4), etc.

101

(30.2%)

4

Busan

111

80

(72.1%)

Onchun Church (32), Shincheonji (11), Suyeong-gu Kindergarten (5), Haeundae-gu Jangsan Catholic Church (4), Jin-gu private academy (4), Daenam Hospital (1), etc.

31

(27.9%)

2

Daegu

6,442

5,358

(83.2%)

Shincheonji (4,383), contacts of confirmed cases (710), Hansarang Convalescent Hospital (92), Daesil Convalescent Hospital (78), KimSin Recuperation Hospital (31), Kwak’s Hospital (15), Baesung Hospital (11), etc.

1,084

(16.8%)

31

Incheon

41

32

(78.0%)

Guro-gu call center (20), contacts of confirmed cases (6), company in Seocho-gu (3), Shincheonji (2), existing imported cases (1)

9

(22.0%)

1

Gwangju

19

15

(78.9%)

Shincheonji (9), contacts of confirmed cases (5), existing imported cases (1)

4

(21.1%)

0

Daejeon

24

13

(54.2%)

Contacts of confirmed cases (9), Shincheonji (2), Seosan research center (2)

11

(45.8%)

0

Ulsan

36

26

(72.2%)

Shincheonji (16), contacts of confirmed cases (10)

10

(27.8%)

0

Sejong

42

38

(90.5%)

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (29), gym facilities (8), Shincheonji (1)

4

(9.5%)

0

Gyeonggi

366

293

(80.1%)

Seongnam Grace River Church (65), Bundang Je-saeng Hospital (42), Guro-gu call center-Bucheon SaengMyeongSu Church (43), Shincheonji (30), Suwon SaengMyeongSaem Church (12), Hyosarang Nursing Home in Gunpo (6), etc.

73

(19.9%)

15

Gangwon

30

21

(70.0%)

Shincheonji (20), gym facilities in Cheonan (1)

9

(30.0%)

0

Chung-
buk

38

31

(81.6%)

Shincheonji (11), Goesan-gun Jangyeon-myeon (11), contacts of confirmed cases (9)

7

(18.4%)

1

Chung-
nam

120

112

(93.3%)

Gym facilities in Cheonan (103), Seosan research center (8), Seongnam Grace River Church (1)

8

(6.7%)

0

Jeon-buk

10

4

(40.0%)

Contacts of confirmed cases (2), existing imported cases (1), Shincheonji (1)

6

(60.0%)

0

Jeon-
nam

6

4

(66.7%)

Shincheonji (1), existing imported cases (1), contacts of confirmed cases (2)

2

(33.3%)

0

Gyeong-
buk

1,257

932

(74.1%)

Shincheonji (541), Cheongdo Daenam Hospital (120), Bonghwa Pureun Nursing Home (68), pilgrimage to Israel (49), Seo Recuperation Hosopital in Gyeongsan (32), Milal Shelter (27), Gyeongsan Seorin Nursing Home (25), Gyeongsan Cham Joeun Community Center (18), etc.

325

(25.9%)

1

Gyeong-
nam

90

73

(81.1%)

Shincheonji (32), Geochang Church (10), Geochang Woongyang-myeon (8), Hanmaeum Changwon Hospital (7), Changyeong coin karaoke (7), contacts of confirmed cases (7), Busan Oncheon Church (2)

17

(18.9%)

1

Jeju

4

-

-

 

4

(100.0%)

0

Airport

67

-

-

Imported cases (67)

67

(100.0%)

20

Total

9,037

7,265

(80.4%)

Shincheonji 5,066 (56.1%)

1,772

(19.6%)

76

* 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.


Case distribution data:

 

[Table 3. Confirmed cases by region]


 

Total

City

Seoul

Busan

Daegu

Incheon

Gwangju

Daejeon

Ulsan

Sejong

Isolated

5,410

262

39

3,783

33

8

18

18

39

Discharged

3,507

72

71

2,571

8

11

6

18

3

Deceased

120

0

1

88

0

0


0


0

0

Subtotal

9,037


334

111

6,442

41

19

24

36

42

Difference

(76)

(4)

(2)

(31)

(1)

-

-

-

-

 

Province

Other

Gyeonggi

Gangwon

Chung-buk

Chung-

nam

Jeon-

buk

Jeon-

nam

Gyeong-

buk

Gyeong-nam

Jeju

Airport screening

Isolated

265

15

27

64

3

3

724

42

0

67

Discharged

97

14

11

56

7

3

507

48

4

0

Deceased

4

1

0


0

0

0


26

0

0


0


Subtotal

366

30

38

120

10

6

1,257

90

4

67

Difference

(15)

-

(1)

-

-

-

(1)

(1)

-

(20)

 


[Table 4. Case distribution and incidence rate by region]


 

Region

# of cases

(%)

Incidence rate (per 0.1M)

Region

# of cases

(%)

Incidence rate (per 0.1M)

Seoul

334

(3.70)

3.43

Gyeonggi

366

(4.05)

2.76

Busan

111


(1.23)

3.25

Gangwon

30


(0.33)

1.95

Daegu

6,442


(71.28)

264.40

Chungbuk

38


(0.42)

2.38

Incheon

41


(0.45)

1.39

Chungnam

120


(1.33)

5.65

Gwangju

19


(0.21)

1.30

Jeonbuk

10

(0.11)

0.55

Daejeon

24


(0.27)

1.63

Jeonnam

6


(0.07)

0.32

Ulsan

36


(0.40)

3.14

Gyeongbuk

1,257


(13.91)

47.21

Sejong

42


(0.46)

12.27

Gyeongnam

90


(1.00)

2.68

Airport Screening

67

(0.74)

-

Jeju

4


(0.04)

0.60

 

 

 

 

Total

9,037


(100)

17.43

 



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[Table 5. Case distribution by gender and age group]


 

Confirmed Cases

(%)

Deaths

(%)

Fatality rate (%)

Total

9,037

(100)

120

(100)

1.33

Sex

Male

3,497

(38.70)

60

(50.00)

1.72

Female

5,540

(61.30)

60

(50.00)

1.08

Age

80 and above

401

(4.44)

52

(43.33)

12.97


70-79

608

(6.73)

38


(31.67)

6.25

60-69

1,146

(12.68)

20


(16.67)

1.75


50-59

1,716

(18.99)

8

(6.67)

0.47


40-49

1,234

(13.65)

1

(0.83)

0.08

30-39

921

(10.19)

1

(0.83)

0.11


20-29

2,438

(26.98)

0

(0.00)

-


10-19

468

(5.18)

0

(0.00)

-


0-9

105

(1.16)

0

(0.00)

-

 


[Figures 5-6. Case distribution by gender and age group]


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[Figure 7. Weekly trend of imported cases]


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