Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

26 June, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 26 June 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 12,602, of which 11,172 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 39 in total.

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

○ Of the 12 new imported cases, 1 is from Americas, and 11 are from Asia excluding China (7 from Kazakhstan, 1 from Bangladesh, 1 from United Arab Emirates, 1 from Pakistan, 1 from the Philippines).

□ As of 12:00 26 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 the sport facility in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, epidemiological investigation found out that 2 previous confirmed cases were linked to the cluster. In total, 72 cases* have been confirmed.

  * Table tennis center = 41; Yongin Big Tree Church = 31

○ Related to Wangsung Church in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, there have been 12 confirmed cases including index case.

  * Seoul = 11; Gyeonggi = 1;

- Of the 12 confirmed cases, 8 were reported from the group who has travelled to Daebudo together for church retreat; 3 were from church choir; 1 was a church member who attended the Sunday service. Contact classification and epidemiological investigation on other church members are currently underway.

  * Information on index case : Church choir practice (June 18), Daebudo travel for church retreat (June 19-20), Sunday service (June 21), Onset of symptoms (June 22), Confirmation of COVID-19 (June 24)

○ Related to Coupang DeokPyeong Logistics Center, no additional cases were confirmed. Out of 196 contacts under self-isolation, 119 were tested negative. Testing of the rest is in progress.

○ Related to door-to-door sales in Seo-gu, Daejeon City, 1 additional case was confirmed. In total, 72* cases have been confirmed.

  * Visitors = 35; Contacts = 37 / Daejeon = 52; Chungnam = 9; Seoul = 5; Jeonbuk = 2; Sejong = 2; Gwangju = 1; Gyeonggi = 1

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

□ KCDC noted that COVID-19 transmissions are occurring mainly through religious activities such as small group meetings and church retreat. KCDC advised people to take particular precautions during the weekend.

○ In particular, since religious gatherings tend to involve a crowded environment where conversations, singing, and eating take place, making it vulnerable to droplet-induced transmission, non-face-to-face methods are encouraged and canceling or postponing small group meetings is recommended.

- If on-site worship service is held, such facilities need to reduce the number of participants to ensure that participants keep proper distance from each other, check participants for fever and other symptoms, ensure hand washing and mask wearing, and make sure not to provide meals or engage in activities that release respiratory droplets in the air (such as singing, chanting, and shouting).

□ KCDC emphasized the importance of environmental disinfection to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Since COVID-19 virus can survive on the surface of an object for a certain period of time, environmental disinfection is important to stop transmission.

○ However, spraying disinfectant is not recommended since the effect of disinfection can be reduced. It can also cause unexpected health problems if sprayed disinfectant is inhaled through nose or mouth. For the same reason and possible environmental problems, spraying disinfectant on the roads should be refrained as well.

○ A proper way to disinfect environment is as follows:

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