Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea
13 August 2020

□ As of 0:00, 13 August 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 14,770 (including 2,600 imported cases), of which 13,817 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 47 new local cases, 9 new imported cases, and 0 new deaths.

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 13 August) are as follows:

* The specific figures below may differ from the daily reported statistics (which are based on figures as of 0:00 today) or figures disclosed by local municipalities due to factors such as report timing and differences in the time period considered

○ Related to Euncheon Convalescent Hospital in Gwangak-gu, Seoul City, 2 additional cases (2 inpatients) were confirmed while in quarantine. In total, 8* cases have been confirmed.

* 7 August = 2 (index case and family member), August 8 = 1, 10 August = 1, 11 August = 2, 12 August = 2

○ Related to the Seoul regional Lotteria managerial staff meeting, 4 additional cases (3 meeting participants and 1 employee) were confirmed after testing 53 people, including workplace contacts and 19 meeting participants. In total, 11* cases have been confirmed.

* Seoul = 8, Gyeonggi = 3

- Health authorities have compiled a list of venues and facilities that the confirmed cases visited. Visitors who visited the following venues and facilities during the probable exposure dates indicated below and are experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms should visit a screening clinic at a local public health center and get tested.

* Estimation of probable exposure period is based on confirmed cases’ work hours, visiting hours, and symptom onset date and is subject to change based on new findings from further epidemiological investigations.

○ Related to the Sarang Jaeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul City, contact tracing detected 4 additional cases (church members) that have been confirmed after the first confirmed case on 12 August. Investigation of contacts and chain of transmissions is underway. In total, 5* cases have been confirmed.

* 12 August = 2, 13 August = 3, 5 church members in total

○ Related to an office* in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul City, epidemiological investigation of the 3 additional cases found after the first confirmed case on 6 August revealed a link to the 3 family-related cases in Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Province. The cases have been re-classified as same cluster. 2 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 9** cases have been confirmed.

* Shinil Utoville Officetel in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul City

** 6 August = 1, 10 August = 2, 11 August = 4, 12 August = 2 / Seoul = 5, Gyeonggi = 3, Gyeongnam = 1

○ Related to the Woori Jaeil Church in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, 9 additional cases (9 church members including 4 family members) were additionally confirmed after epidemiological investigation of 2 confirmed cases on 11 August and 1 confirmed case on 12 August. Investigation of chain of transmission and risk factors and testing of church members are underway. In total, 12* cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to Daeji High School and Jukjeon High School in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province, 3 additional cases (parents of Jukjeon High School student case and a student in another class) were confirmed while in quarantine. In total, 8* cases have been confirmed.

○ Related to the Busan National Mechanical Technical High School in Haeundae-gu, Busan City, a second year student was confirmed on 12 August. Contact tracing has revealed 2 additional confirmed cases. In total, 3 cases have been confirmed. Investigation of chain of transmission and management of school-related contacts is underway.

○ Seoul City sent out official letters requesting a city-wide pause on group gatherings on 11 August and 12 August to contain the COVID-19 spread in the city. Several organizations expressed intent to press on with gathering plans against the request. Consequently, Seoul City has issued an executive order prohibiting assembly on 13 August.

- To enforce the executive order, complaints will be filed against organizers and participants of rallies that take place during the ban. Indemnity claims will also be made if infections occur related to such a rally.

- KCDC requested the public to cooperate in COVID-19 prevention efforts by complying with the city’s executive order.

□ As of 0:00, 13 August, there were 9 imported cases, of which 3 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 6 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. 4 were Korean nationals and 5 foreign nationals.

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 9 new imported cases are: Americas (2) (US 2), Africa (1) (Algeria 1), and Asia excluding China (6) (Philippines 2, Iraq 2, Kyrgyzstan 1, Vietnam 1).

□ KCDC has supplied remdesivir, specially imported for COVID-19 treatment, to all 119 patients from 35 hospitals that have applied for the drug.

□ KCDC shared updates on the national project on domestic vaccine development.

○ 3 core vaccines including 1 synthetic antigen vaccine and 2 DNA vaccines will receive focused support with the goal of completing development by the second half of 2021 to 2022.

- 1 DNA vaccine has been granted permission for Phase 1/2a of clinical trials on 11 June. 1 synthetic antigen vaccine and 1 DNA vaccine are undergoing nonclinical trials (toxicity and effectiveness evaluations through animal trials).

- All 3 vaccine candidates are expected to begin clinical trials by the end of 2020.

□ KCDC shared about reports of safety violations made through the Safety e-Report* Sinmungo mobile apps and website, operated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

* Reports related to COVID-19 guidelines can be made through the Sinmungo app (Android, iOS) or at www.safetyreport.go.kr

○ Recently reported incidents included:

- Lectures, singing, and snacking together at a youth summer camp, risk of transmission while taking group photos without wearing a mask

- Employees at restaurants, supermarkets, and publicly used facilities greeting customers without wearing a mask and risking COVID-19 transmission

○ Reports of not wearing a mask and COVID-19 prevention guideline infractions are constantly being reported. The importance of following guidelines was stressed once again.

- Mask wearing is an effective prevention tool that can protect yourself and others from the transmission of COVID-19.

- Mask wearing is essential in indoors settings where keeping a 2m distance from others is difficult, as well as in certain outdoors settings where keeping a 2m distance from others is impossible.

- When wearing a mask, completely cover your mouth and nose, refrain from touching the mask’s surface, and make sure to wash your hands before and after wearing a mask.

○ Also, the percentage of cases with unidentified chain of transmission has increased to 13.4% recently, raising concerns about silent transmissions occurring in the community during the current holiday season.

* Chain of transmission, last 2 weeks: 226 imported cases (45.1%), 140 local cluster cases (27.9%), 67 cases under investigation (13.4%), etc. (501 reported cases reported between 31 July 0:00 ~ 13 August 0:00)

- The public is asked to cancel outdoors activities or meetings when showing symptoms of COVID-19, and actively visit screening centers to get tested.

□ Thanks to the social distancing, handwashing, mask wearing, keeping infectious disease prevention guidelines, and a decrease in overseas travel due to COVID-19, cases of other infectious diseases including respiratory, waterborne, and foodborne infectious diseases have decreased compared to the prior year.

○ Major respiratory infectious diseases, compared to last year (reported cases until July 31, cumulative January – July):

- Measles: 97% decrease (176 cases to 6 cases);
whooping cough: 62% decrease (278 cases to 107 cases);
scarlet fever: 62% decrease (4,989 cases to 1,918 cases)

- Varicella and mumps, which mainly occur among toddlers and elementary school students, have decreased by 57% (51,402 cases to 22,258 cases) and 36% (10,458 cases to 6,642 cases), respectively.

○ Major waterborne/foodborne infectious diseases, compared to last year (reported cases until July 31, cumulative January – July):

- Shigellosis: 51% decrease (79 cases to 39 cases), typhoid: 16% decrease (76 cases to 64 cases), hepatitis a: 80% decrease (10,977 cases to 2,144 cases)

- The Ansan kindergarten outbreak has led to a 3.7 times increase of intestinal hemorrhagic E. coli infections (72 cases to 268 cases)

○ The public is again asked to keep prevention guidelines by washing hands, wearing a mask, and keeping a 2m distance to prevent infectious diseases in general.

- In order to prevent summertime waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases, only drink safe water that has been boiled or bottled, while only consuming food that has been thoroughly heated and cooked.

□ KCDC warned against heat diseases as heat wave alerts have come into effect today in most areas in Korea. To prevent heat diseases, the following guidelines were recommended:

○ During a heat wave, avoid going outdoors between 12:00 to 17:00 when the temperature is the highest, and when working in a hot environment, reduce activities during the daytime if possible.

- For those engaged in recovery work after the recent flood, hydrate often before working, try to work in pairs, and move to a shade to rest and drink water when feeling strange.

□ KCDC asked the public to refrain from small group gatherings and follow prevention guidelines, as outdoors activity and COVID-19 transmission risk increase during the holiday season.

○ Refrain from small group meetings, and visiting clubs, entertainment venues, karaokes, PC cafes, and publicly used facilities during the holiday season.