Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

29 April 2020

○ As of 0:00, 29 April 2020, a total of 10,761 cases (including 1,061 imported cases) have been confirmed, of which 8,922 cases (82.9%) have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 9 in total.

[Table 1. Total confirmed and suspected cases]

○ Epidemiological links have been found for 80.6% of the total cases; 9.6% are either under investigation or sporadic cases. More details on the epidemiological links within each province or city are shown in Table 3.

○ From Yeungnam University Hospital in Daegu City, 2 healthcare workers who worked in a ward for confirmed patients have tested positive. One was a healthcare worker dispatched to the hospital for COVID-19 patient care. The worker tested positive at the end of post-work monitoring period. The positive result prompted testing of all workers who worked in this ward, from which 1 additional healthcare worker tested positive. Infectious disease control and prevention measures and epidemiological investigation are underway.

○ KCDC released interim analysis of 507 pediatric cases (ages 18 or below) as of 0:00, 29 April 2020.

  - Pediatric cases contributed 4.7% of 10,761 total confirmed cases.

  - 272 (53.6%) were boys and 235 (46.4%) were girls, compared to 4,348 (40.41%) male and 6,413 (59.59%) female cases among all confirmed cases.

  - By age group: 86 (17.0%) cases in ages 0-6; 125 (24.7%) cases in ages 7-12; and 296 (58.4%) cases in ages 13-18.

  - By region: 298 (58.8%) in Daegu City; 46 (9.1%) in Gyeongbuk Province; 42 (8.3%) in Seoul City; 39 (7.7%) in Gyeonggi Province. No pediatric confirmed case in Jeonbuk and Jeonnam Provinces.

  - No deaths or severe cases have been reported among pediatric cases.

  - 149 (82.6%) pediatric cases have been discharged from isolation.

  - By chain of transmission: 211 (41.6%) linked to Shincheonji; 117 (23.1%) contacts of previously confirmed cases; 73 (14.4%) imported cases; 66 (13.0%) linked to local clusters.

  - 17 (3.4%) cases have tested positive again after recovery.
(*2.7% of adult cases (ages 19 and up) have tested positive again after discharge)

  - Based on clinical manifestations of 91 pediatric cases: 20 (22.0%) were asymptomatic; 37 (41.1%) had coughs; 29 (32.2%) had sputum; 27 (29.7%) had fever (38.0 degrees or above); 22 (28.6%) had sore throat.
(*Based on 31 March – 8 April pediatric admitted patients; Shincheonji-related cases not included)

○ KCDC noted that many children and teens are experiencing depression, anxiety, and fear due to COVID-19 and that the outbreak can be a source of stress for young people as evidenced by increases in related counselling sessions. KCDC urged parents and guardians to clearly communicate accurate information and preventive measures to children in a way that’s easy to understand to help ease anxiety and fear.

  - In a recent survey that asked 42 seven-year-olds “What do you think of COVID-19?”, 69% responded “It’s scary”.

  - In another survey of asked 889 middle and high school students, respondents reported feeling suffocated (44.1%), frustrated/irritated (22.4%), emotionless (10.9%), and scared (9.0%).

  - A study of over 1,800 elementary school students in Hubei Province, China has found that 1 out of 5 have experienced symptoms of depression or anxiety or both.

○ KCDC explained that in order to protect our children during this COVID-19 outbreak, adults need to be thoughtful and understanding of children at home and at school and try to ensure psychological stability of children.

  - KCDC stressed the need to explain to children preventive measures and plans regarding COVID-19 in a way they can understand and that COVID-19 can be prevented by following guidelines such as washing hands carefully and wearing masks.

  - KCDC also asked adults to teach children not to blame or discriminate or harbor prejudice against other children who have been infected with COVID-19 and explained that words of encouragement and positivity and hope such as “You’re doing well!” “Let’s fight this together!” are important to relieving children’s anxiety and improving their psychological stability.

○ In light of the upcoming long holiday weekend during which traveling and outdoor activities are expected to increase, KCDC urged everyone to be extra careful.

  - People who have fever or respiratory symptoms should not go on vacation trips. Any traveling if at all should be done in small family units in personal vehicle. Crowded or popular destinations should be avoided.

  - During the trip, everyone should wash their hands frequently, cover up their nose and mouth with their sleeve when sneezing/coughing, maintain distance of at least 2 meters from other people, and wear facemasks if visiting indoor public venues.

  - People who develop fever or respiratory symptoms while traveling should stay in their room and get rest. People with prolonging fever or aggravating symptoms should call KCDC call center (1339 or area code + 120) or contact a local public health center or visit a screening clinic to get tested early.

○ In light of the upcoming Children’s Day (5 May), KCDC and Ministry of Health and Welfare hosted a children’s special briefing on COVID-19 today, taking questions from children on COVID-19 and providing answers.

  - The briefing was conducted as non-face-to-face briefing in observance of social distancing.

  - Along with KCDC Director Dr Jung Eun-Kyeong, two pediatric physicians were invited as co-panelists to explain COVID-19 prevention measures and latest children-related medical science.
   *Professor Choi Eunhwa (SNUCM Pediatrics / Seoul National University College of Medicine) and Professor Kim Yae Jean (SMC Pediatrics / Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)

* Refer to attachment

[Table 4: Age distribution of severe cases]

[Table 5: Distribution of cases that retested positive]

[Figure 2: New cases (for last 2 weeks) by chain of transmission]