Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

27 June 2020

□ As of 0:00, 27 June 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 12,653, of which 11,317 cases have been discharged from isolation. Newly confirmed cases are 51 (31 community transmission, 20 imported cases) in total.

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

  ○ Of the 20 new imported cases, 1 is from Americas, and 3 are from Europe, and 16 are from Asia excluding China (10 from Kyrgyzstan, 2 from Kazakhstan, 2 from Iraq, 1 from United Arab Emirates, 1 from Afghanistan).

□  As of 12:00 27 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 1 more confirmed case linked to the cluster. In total, 73 cases* have been confirmed.

    * Table tennis center = 42; Yongin Big Tree Church = 31

  ○ Related to Wangsung Church in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 7 additional cases were confirmed. In total, there have been 19 confirmed cases. The entire church members are currently getting tested.

    * Seoul = 16; Gyeonggi = 3;

  ○ Related to a social gathering in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 3 more cases were confiremd. In total, 11 cases* have been confirmed.

    * Seoul = 6; Gyeonggi = 4; Ulsan = 1

  ○ Related to Lord Glory Church in Manan-gu, Anyang City, Gyeonggi Province, there have been 11 confirmed cases including index case. Contact classification and epidemiological investigation on other church members are underway.

  ○ Related to a neighborhood gathering in Sujeong-gu, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, 6 cases* were confirmed. Investigation on the chain of transmission is on-going.

    * Index case (confirmed on 24 June), a family member of the case, 4 neighbors

  ○ Related to Coupang DeokPyeong Logistics Center, no additional cases were confirmed from testing 196 contacts.

  ○ Related to door-to-door sales in Seo-gu, Daejeon City, 3 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 75* cases have been confirmed.

     * Visitors = 35; Contacts = 40

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

□ KCDC expressed gratitude for the 211 recovered people who signed up to participate in the development of COVID-19 plasma therapy.

○ In particular, KCDC gave special thanks to 5 staff at Bundang-gu healthcare center, who got infected while working in field as an epidemiological investigation and response team, for their participation in the plasma therapy development. development. KCDC encouraged more eligible people to participate.

○ 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.

□ 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).