Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea
7 July 2020

□ As of 0:00, 7 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 13,181 (including 1,714 imported cases), of which 11,914 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 20 new local cases, 24 new imported cases, and 1 new death.

[Table 1. Total reported/tested cases]
Period (since 3 Jan)	Total	Tested positive (PCR)				Testing in progress	Tested negative (PCR)
		Confirmed	Discharged from isolation	Under isolation	Deceased
As of 0:00 6 July (Mon)	1,331,796	13,137	11,848	1,005	284	21,292	1,297,367
As of 0:00 7 July (Tues)	1,346,194	13,181	11,914	982	285	23,675	1,309,338
Difference	(+)14,398	(+)44	(+)66	(-)23	(+)1	(+)2,383	(+)11,971

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 7 July) 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 Wangsung Church in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 1 additional case was confirmed. The new case was a church member’s coworker. In total, 37* cases have been confirmed.

* Seoul = 29; Gyeonggi = 8

 

○ Related to an office in Gangnam-gu, Seoul City, after the index case was confirmed on 1 July, the index case’s business contact (1), visitors (2), and family members of visitor (2) were confirmed. In total, 6 cases have been confirmed.

* 1 July: index case / 2 July: 1 business contact / 3 July: 1 visitor / 4 July: 2 family members of visitor / 5 July: 1 visitor

 

○ Related to church member gathering in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province, 5 additional cases were confirmed. The new cases are church acquaintance’s contacts and contact’s family. In total, 25 cases have been confirmed.

* 18 in Gyeonggi Province, 7 in Incheon City

 

○ Related to the Uijeongbu-si apartments, 1 additional case was confirmed related to the fitness center visited by apartment resident. The new case is the fitness center case’s acquaintance’s family. In total, 29 cases have been confirmed.

* 1 index case and 1 family, 7 residents of the same apartment building, 20 related to the fitness center

 

○ Related to Gwangneuksa Temple in Gwangju City, 5 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 92 cases have been confirmed. Of the new cases, 2 are related to Gwangju Love Church and 3 are staff at a sauna (in Gwangsan-gu) visited by a Gwangju Love Church case.

 

Category	Confirmed date of index case	Related confirmed cases	Note
Gwangneuksa Temple	6.27	12
Geumyang Building (officetel)	6.27	25	Visitors: 12 Family and others: 13
Jeju Island Tourist Group	6.30	5	Family: 4 Company: 1
Gwangju Love Church	6.30	17 (+2)	Church members: 13 Family and others: 4
CCC Agape Silver Center	6.30	7	Residents: 6 Staff: 1
Hanwul Nursing Home	7.1	7	Residents: 4 Caregivers: 3
Gwangju Ilgok Central Church	7.2	16	Church members: 15 Friend/acquaintance: 1
SM Sauna	7.1	3 (+3)	Staff: 3

* Subject to change based on findings from ongoing epidemiological investigation

 

□ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 24 new imported cases are: America (6), Europe (1), and Asia excluding China (17) (Kazakhstan=13; Philippines=3; Pakistan=1).

[Table 2. Imported cases in Korea (as of 0:00, 7 July 2020)]
	Total	Region/Country						Where confirmed		Nationality
		China	Asia ex-China	Europe	Americas	Africa	Australia	Point of Entry	Community	Korean	Other
New	24	0	17	1	6	0	0	16	8	7	17
Total	1,714	19	556	494	624	20	1	793	921	1,286	428
		(1.1%)	(32.4%)	(28.8%)	(36.4%)	(1.2%)	(0.1%)	(46.3%)	(53.7%)	(75.0%)	(25.0%)

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

○ Of the total 1,714 imported cases, 46.3% (n=793) were identified through diagnostic testing at the border and were isolated, preventing transmission to the community.

 

- Imported cases identified in the community were found through diagnostic testing within 3 days of arrival required for all overseas arrivals to prevent a large scale spreading from importation of the virus.

 

- To date, there have been 10 (0.6%) imported cases that were severe or critical (very severe) patients and 1 deceased case.

 

○ During 6 July, 153 ships entered 11 harbors (seaports) nationwide. On-board quarantine inspection was conducted for 53 ships.

 

 

□ Restaurants provide an environment where it’s difficult to keep masks on and transmissions can occur in close contact settings. KCDC provide analysis of restaurant-related risk factors and advised caution.

 

Summary

Risky behaviors

▸In confined, high-density environment, coming into contact with a large number of unspecific people for a prolonged period of time, involving drinking and eating (Example: bars)   Example cluster: _____ Pocha (bar) ※ 4 additional cases confirmed from members of the same party       Drinking and talking with mask off - Confirmed cases stayed at the establishment for a long period of time Space not well ventilated and with high density of people, making it easy to be exposed to respiratory droplets Drinking and close contact between tables   Example cluster: ______ Pocha (bar) ※ 5 additional cases confirmed from members of the same party       Drinking and talking with mask off - Many people talking in loud volume creating respiratory droplets - Confirmed cases stayed at the establishment for a long period of time Close contact between users   ▸In confined, high-density environment, using shared tools or utensils with a large number of unspecific people, involving eating (Example: buffets)   Example cluster: _____ Party House (buffet) ※ 51 total cases confirmed including 14 users       Indoor environment, many people with mask off, staying for a long period of time (1-2 hours) Buffet involves people touching shared tools such as tongs to grab food and coming in close proximity to others Close contact events such as group photos

○ Epidemiological investigation of the restaurant clusters found that:

 

- Many people did not wear masks or wore masks improperly, including incorrect wearing and taking them off when having conversations.

 

- Without proper mask protection, many people stayed in for a long period of time in a confined space drinking and having conversations, many of whom speaking in loud volumes, likely creating a large amount of respiratory droplets.

 

- There was close contact between users. Shared tools such as tongs were used for the buffet.

 

○ To prevent restaurant infections and community transmissions, the following should be adhered to:

 

- Visitors should avoid busy hours and wash hands or use hand sanitizer before meals.

- Masks should be worn when entering restaurants and before and after eating. For shared dishes, a separate tool such as tongs should be used.

- Conversations during meals should be minimized in order to prevent droplet transmissions. Masks should be worn while talking if a conversation is necessary.

- Phone calls should be taken outside or with a mask on.

 

COVID-19 PREVENTION MEASURES IN RESTAURANTS - Avoid rush hours and minimize staying time - Sit staggered or in zigzag or facing one direction if possible - Observe personal hygiene rules such as hand washing and use of hand sanitizer - Wear a mask before entering a restaurant and before and after having meals - Use individual utensils, glasses, and do not mix them - Use hand sanitizers or plastic gloves before and after each use of tongs, plates, and serving spoons

□ KCDC announced that remdesivir, allowed special import for COVID-19 treatment, has been supplied to all 22 severe patients at 15 hospitals that applied.

 

□ KCDC expressed gratitude for the 39 additional people who signed up to donate their plasma for the development of COVID-19 plasma therapy and encouraged more eligible people to participate. In total, 312 people have registered.

 

○ Plasma therapy requires a large amount of blood as it involves formulating a concentrated form of the antibodies and immunoglobulin 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

 

□ KCDC urged precaution in light of the continued local transmissions especially around religious facilities and door-to-door sales facilities.

 

○ Religious facilities are vulnerable to droplet transmission due to singing and eating together.

- Religious communities are requested to cancel large events or small group gatherings or switch them to a non-face-to-face method.

- Facilities hosting an on-site religious event should minimize the number of people attending in person, ensure 2 meter distancing and mask wearing, use instrumental music instead of choir or congregational singing, and avoid having group meals or small group gatherings.

 

COVID-19 PREVENTION MEASURES IN RELIGIOUS FACILITIES - Use non-face-to-face, contactless methods to hold events such as online gathering - Avoid activities that make respiratory droplets move in air (such as singing, chanting, and shouting) - Disinfect and ventilate spaces before and after an event - Avoid providing group meals

○ Various door-to-door sales promotional events, product demonstrations, or seminars to market health supplements or medical devices to elderly people tend to occur in confined spaces with a large number of visitors densely gathered togethered for a long period of time, creating an environment where infection can easily spread.

 

- Middle-aged and elderly people are requested to avoid direct sales seminars or promotional events.

 

- People who have suspected symptoms should cancel any outing or social gathering plans and visit a screening clinic to get tested.

 

[Table 4: Regional distribution and epidemiological links of the confirmed cases]

Region	Confirmed cases									Other major clusters
	Total	Imported cases	Clusters					Other*	New cases
			Sub- total	Shin- cheonji	Other clusters	Contacts of confirmed cases	Imported cases
Seoul	1,375	305	952	8	827	48	69	118	3	Nightclubs (139), Richway (121), Guro-gu call center (99), Yangcheon-gu sport facility (44), Seongsim Day Care Center (43), Manmin Central Church (41), SMR newly planted churches group (37), Dong-an Church-PC Cafe (28), Coupang (24), Wangsung Church (28), Gangnam Yeoksam-dong gathering (12), Daejeon door-to-door sales (8), Uijeongbu Apartment (7), Financial institution (7)), Gangbuk-gu call center (4), etc.
Busan	156	37	89	12	58	18	1	30	0	Onchun Church (39), Suyeong-gu Kindergarten (5), Nightclubs (4), etc.
Daegu	6,925	45	6,131	4,511	699	917	4	749	1	Second Mi-Ju Hospital (196), Hansarang Convalescent Hospital (124), Daesil Convalescent Hospital (101), Fatima Hospital (39), Daegu Acting Academy (11), Nightclubs (2), etc.
Incheon	354	65	278	2	260	8	8	11	2	Coupang (61), SMR newly planted churches group (57), Nightclubs (54), Richway (24), Guro-gu call center (19), Gyeyang-gu real estate agency family (12), Suwon church friends gathering (6), Car enthusiast group (4) etc.
Gwangju	121	18	94	9	75	4	6	9	6	Gwangneuksa Temple (66), Ilgok Central Church (7), etc.
Daejeon	141	16	106	2	90	14	0	19	2	Door-to-door sales in Daejeon (56), Dreaming Church (4), etc.
Ulsan	55	22	26	16	4	3	3	7	0
Sejong	50	5	44	1	40	3	0	1	0	Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (31), gym facilities (8)
Gyeonggi	1,297	269	933	29	768	72	64	95	13	Grace River Church (67), Coupang (67), Nightclubs (59), Richway (58), Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital (50), Guro-gu call center-Bucheon SaengMyeongSu Church (50), Yangcheon-gu sport facility (28). SMR Newly planted churches group (25), Lord Glory Church (25), Anyang-Gunpo pastors group (22), Uijeongbu Apartment (21), Lotte Confectionery logistics center (15), Suwon church friends gathering (13), Wangsung Church (9), Seongnam neighbors gathering (7), KCCC (6), Geumcheon rice milling machine manufacturer (6), etc.
Gangwon	67	17	43	17	26	0	0	7	0	Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital (10), Apartments in Wonju (4), Richway (4), Geumcheon-gu rice milling machine manufacturer (4), etc.
Chung- buk	66	11	45	6	29	8	2	10	0	Goesan-gun Jangyeon-myeon (11), Nightclubs (9), Guro-gu call center (2), etc.
Chung- nam	173	17	144	0	139	4	1	12	0	Gym facilities in Cheonan (103), Daejeon door-to-door sales (12), Richway (3), etc.
Jeonbuk	30	14	11	1	10	0	0	5	1	Daejeon door-to-door sales (3), Nightclubs (2)
Jeonnam	27	14	9	1	5	2	1	4	0	Gwangneuksa Temple (2)
Gyeong- buk	1,393	24	1,236	566	478	192	0	133	0	Cheongdo Daenam Hospital (119), Bonghwa Pureun Nursing Home (68), Gyeongsan Seo Convalescent Hospital (66), pilgrimage to Israel (41), Yecheon-gun (40), Gumi Elim Church (10), etc.
Gyeong- nam	138	28	90	32	50	6	2	20	0	Geochang Church (10), Wings Tower (9), Geochang Woongyang-myeon (8), Nightclubs (2), etc.
Jeju	20	14	2	0	1	0	1	4	0
Ports of Entry	793	793	0	0	0	0	0	0	16
Total	13,181	1,714	10,233	5,213	3,559	1,299	162	1234	44
	(%)	(13.0)	(77.6)	(39.5)	(27.0)	(9.9)	(1.2)	(9.4)
* Not classified into a cluster or under investigation ※ The interim classification is based on the reporting location, which may change depending on further epidemiological investigation.

 

[Figure 3: Daily new confirmed cases by chain of transmission]

TOTAL

Seoul City

Incheon City

Gyeonggi Province

Daejeon City

Gwangju City

[Table 5: Age distribution of severe cases]

	6.24	6.25	6.26	6.27	6.28	6.29	6.30	7.1	7.2	7.3	7.4	7.5	7.6	7.7
Total	38	37	35	30	32	32	32	33	34	34	30	32	32	36
Severe	17	19	15	12	13	13	11	13	16	13	11	11	11	14
Very severe	21	18	20	18	19	19	21	20	18	21	19	21	21	22

	Total	Severe	(	%	)	Very severe	(	%	)
Total	36	14	(	100.0	)	22	(	100.0	)
80 and above	10	3	(	21.4	)	7	(	31.8	)
70-79	11	6	(	42.9	)	5	(	22.7	)
60-69	6	2	(	14.3	)	4	(	18.2	)
50-59	9	3	(	21.4	)	6	(	27.3	)
40-49	0	0	(	0.0	)	0	(	0.0	)
30-39	0	0	(	0.0	)	0	(	0.0	)
20-29	0	0	(	0.0	)	0	(	0.0	)
10-19	0	0	(	0.0	)	0	(	0.0	)
0-9	0	0	(	0.0	)	0	(	0.0	)

 

[Figure 4: New cases (for last 2 weeks) by chain of transmission]