○ As of 0:00, 22 May 2020, a total of 11,142 cases (including 1,200 imported cases) have been confirmed, of which 10,162 cases (91.2%) have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 20 in total.

[Table 1. Total reported/tested cases]

[Table 2. Imported cases in Korea (as of 0:00, 22 May 2020)]

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

○ Of the 20 new cases, 9 were imported cases and 11 were locally transmitted cases.

○ In Gyeongbuk Province, a family member of the confirmed case who was a student of Daegu Meister High School for Agriculture was additionally confirmed. From testing of all teachers and staff (118) and all students (105), all results were negative. Epidemiological investigation and contact management is underway.

   * Note: 1 student is awaiting testing today

○ In Yangcheon-gu, Seoul City, an intern pastor of Grace Methodist Church was confirmed on 20 May. Among contacts, 2 persons (a pastor from Gyeonggi Province and a church member) who had attended a biblical language study meeting on 8 May and 15 May were confirmed. Investigation on the chain of transmission is underway.

○ As of 12:00 today (5/22), there are a total of 215 confirmed cases related to the nightclubs.

  - By region: Seoul City=102, Gyeonggi Province=52, Incheon City=40, Chungbuk Province=9, Busan City=4, Gyeongnam Province=2, Jeonbuk Province=2, Daejeon City=1, Chungnam Province=1,
Gangwon Province=1, Jeju Province=1

  - By chain of transmission: Club visitors=95; Contacts (family/acquaintance/coworkers/etc)=120

  - By age group: [0-18]=25; [19-29]=120; [30-39]=31; [40-49]=17; [50-59]=11; [60+]=11

  - Male=170; Female=45

○ In Bucheon City, Gyeonggi Province, 9 cases were confirmed from a Laon Party House (a buffet restaurant located at 223 Buil-ro, Tuna Building B1). All persons who visited Laon Party House during 16:50-20:30 of 9 May (Saturday) or 10:20-14:14 of 10 May (Sunday) or 10:33-13:42 of 17 May (Sunday) are requested to visit a nearby screening clinic and get tested for COVID-19.

   * A confirmed case who visited Top Coin Singing Room in Vision Plaza in Incheon (confirmed on 19 May, a taxi driver, worked as a photographer at a birthday party) → 9 confirmed cases who were guests at the birthday party)

○ KCDC is requesting everyone who visited any of the nightlife entertainment venues in Itaewon area including any clubs or bars from 24 April to 6 May visit a screening clinic and get tested, especially if symptoms are present.

○ KCDC announced the analysis result of 151 cases of genome sequence of domestic COVID-19 patients.

  - The COVID-19 virus is classified as S, V, or G clade according to WHO classification. S and V are more prevalent in the Asian region including China. G is more prevalent in Europe and the U.S. However, all three groups are found in all parts of the world.

   * WHO-operated COVID-19 virus genetic information site GISAID classifies the virus as Clades S, V, G, or other based on the amino acid type of a certain gene.

  - S, V, and G are all found in Korea. The COVID-19 viruses detected in 14 nightclub-related patients belong to Clade G and the sequences all match.

○ KCDC provided the following guidance for COVID-19 prevention and timely response in schools.

- Students, teachers, and staff should check their symptoms in the morning and stay home if they have fever or respiratory symptoms. They should keep facemasks on at all time while in school and strictly follow personal hygiene measures such as hand washing and cough etiquette.

- Students, teachers, and staff are urged to avoid karaoke rooms, PC cafes, nightclubs, and bars.

- Schools should ensure that every student’s body temperature is checked before the student enters classroom. If a student has temperature of 37.5 degrees or above or have other suspected symptoms, the school should have the student put on an MFDS-approved facemask (i.e. KF80, KF94, or KF99) and wait in a separate location while the school contacts the student’s parent or guardian.

- If a confirmed case is found in a school, all students, teachers, and staff of the school will be instructed to put on an MFDS-approved facemask and return home. Local municipal government will conduct epidemiological investigation, disinfection, restriction of use of the affected facility, and other necessary infection control measures.

- KCDC is having daily meetings with the Ministry of Education and the National Fire Agency to share up-to-date information on the classroom learning of high school seniors and to address challenges and any need for improvement.

○ In light of the recent rise in local transmissions related to clubs, bars, karaoke rooms, and after-school private academies, KCDC urged people to refrain from social gathering or visiting any enclosed/confined/crowded spaces that are frequented by many people.

- People who cannot avoid visiting an enclosed/crowded space for an essential reason should carefully follow personal hygiene measures including keeping 2 meters of distance from other people, wearing a facemask, avoiding handshakes, washing hands, and not touching eyes, nose, or mouth with their hands.

- Persons belonging to high-risk groups (including elderly, pregnant women, persons with chronic illness) should especially avoid any poorly ventilated enclosed space frequented by many people. If such a situation cannot be avoided for an essential reason, it is highly important to wear a facemask.

○ During the weekend, religious facilities and houses of worship also need to take precautions as there is a risk of exposure to a large number of people. Online or other non-face-to-face methods of gathering and worship are recommended.

- Facilities hosting on-site events need to check everyone’s body temperature, maintain distance between participants, require everyone to wear a mask at all times, and refrain from providing group meals or engaging in activities that make respiratory droplets travel in air such as singing and shouting.

○ Anyone who has come in close contact with a large number of unspecified persons in an enclosed/confined space such as clubs or bars need to be tested at a screening clinic through public health center or 1339 call center.

  - KCDC urged people to visit a screening clinic and get tested especially if two or more persons within a household or social group develop COVID-19 suspected symptoms.