Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

25 June 2020

□ As of 0:00, 25 June 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 12,563 (including 1,496 imported cases), of which 10,974 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 28 in total.

○ Of the 5 new imported cases, 1 is from Europe, and 4 are from Asia excluding China (2 from Pakistan, 1 from the Philippines, 1 from India).

○ Related to the Russia-flagged ship (Ice Stream) that entered through Busan Port on 21 June, there are no more additional case confirmed after they tested all contacts.

○ An imported case from yesterday which reported to be from China was reclassified as from Iraq as a result of epidemiological investigation.

□ As of 12:00 25 June, confirmed cases and their chain of transmissions are as below.

* Figures may differ from table 1 due to difference in data collection time.

○ Related to a gathering at the Yeoksamg-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 3 have been confirmed yesterday, and as a result of epidemiological investigation, 4 additional cases were confirmed. In total 7 cases* have been confirmed.

* Seoul = 3; Gyeonggi = 3; Ulsan = 1

○ Related to a Coupang Dukpyung logistics center in Ichon city, Gyeonggi Province, 1 staff and his/her family member got newly confirmed. As of now the logistics center has been closed down, and investigation on the chain of transmission and contact testing for 189 contacts are underway.

○ Related to door-to-door sales in Seo-gu, Daejeon City, 7 additional case was confirmed. In total, 71* cases have been confirmed.

* Visitors = 35; Contacts = 36 / Daejeon = 51; Chungnam = 9; Seoul = 5; Jeonbuk = 2; Sejong = 2; Gwangju = 1; Gyeonggi = 1

< Daejeon Seo-gu door-to-door sales related outbreaks >

○ Related to a car enthusiast club meeting held on in Youngdungpo-gu Han River area in Seoul, no new cases were confirmed as a result of epidemiological investigation.

- The onset symptom date was 12 June, and since it was found that there were meetings at indoor multi-use facilities such as restaurants and bars before(8 June~) the meeting at the han river(15 June), infection is presumed to have occurred before the meeting. Additional investigation on chain of transmission and contacts are underway.

□ KCDC introduced a best practice for complying with the guidelines of COVID-19 prevention while holding an event (Kintex Exhibition Hall in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do) which had low confirmed cases. KCDC stated that recommended that the relevant facility manager must comply with the quarantine guidelines by referring to the best practices, although it is necessary to minimize or postpone the event.

○ The confirmed case visited the pet fair(12~14 June) held at the KINTEX exhibition hall in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on 13 June.

- Before entering the exhibition hall, the facility checked temperature twice, disinfected the hands, and made users to register the QR code to thoroughly manage logs.

- As of now no additional case was confirmed so far as they prohibited drinking or eating including water within the exhibition hall, and as health officials toured the hall to check whether the mask was used improperly and immediately took corrective measures.

□ KCDC announced that it plans to release clinical epidemiological information* of 5,500 patients with COVID-19 confirmed cases on 6 June to prepare clinical-based preventive measures against the recurrence of COVID-19.

* (Contents) : Anonymous basic information on confirmed patients, initial examination findings, clinical findings at hospitalization, underlying diseases and history, use of beds, severity level and general blood test results

○ This clinical epidemiological information of the COVID-19 confirmed patient is made by the sweat and dedication of the medical staff at the COVID-19 medical site and collected by the KCDC and the National Medical Center.

- All the information will be disclosed to researchers in a transparent and fair order* using a secure information disclosure system that has been secured through the process of anonymity with the way of 'no personal information leakage'.

* Initial public application: 26 June(Fri) at KCDC website (www.cdc.go.kr)

* Will be using the designated information disclosure system after review by the COVID-19 Patient Information Utilization Committee (5 channels of remote analysis + 25 channels of direct visit (Seoul, Osong, Chungbuk/to be announced)

* Expanded disclosure(July~): Additional information (additional underlying disease information, medication usage details, etc.) in cooperation with the National Medical Center, the National Health Insurance Corporation, and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.

○ KCDC said it hopes that the release of clinical epidemiological information will produce a number of scientific evidence-based materials needed to establish preventive measures.

□ KCDC thanked 23 additional volunteers for their willingness to participate (a total of 208 registered) in the plasma donation for the development of COVID-19 plasma treatment, and requested active participation of others recovered from COVID-19.

○ Plasma therapy requires a large amount of blood as it involves formulating a concentrated form of the antibodies and immunoglobulins 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 Unviersity Dongsan Hospital, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu Fatima Hospital / For inquiries, dial 1522-6487

[Figure 1: Daily new confirmed cases by chain of transmission]