Updates on COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

27 July, 2020

□ As of 0:00, 27 July 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 14,175 (including 2,306 imported cases), of which 12,905 cases have been discharged from isolation. There are 9 new local cases, 16 new imported cases, and 1 new death.

 

[ Local transmission cases, as of 0:00, 27 July (cumulative since 3 January 2020) ]

	Total	City
		Seoul		Busan		Daegu	Incheon		Gwangju		Daejeon		Ulsan		Sejong
New	9	6		1		0	0		0		0		0		0
Cumulative	11,869	1,239		128		6,881	302		179		147		34		45
	Province
	Gyeonggi		Gangwon		Chung- buk	Chung- nam		Jeon- buk		Jeon- nam		Gyeong- buk		Gyeong-nam		Jeju
New	2		0		0	0		0		0		0		0		0
Cumulative	1,123		51		56	159		18		17		1,369		110		11

[ Imported cases, as of 0:00, 27 July (cumulative since 3 January 2020) ]
	Total	Region/Country						Where confirmed		Nationality
		China	Asia ex-China	Europe	Americas	Africa	Oceania	Point of Entry	Community	Korean	Other
New	16	0	14	1	1	0	0	7	9	9	7
Total	2,306	18	998	521	732	32	5	1,135	1,171	1,544	762
		(0.8%)	(43.3%)	(22.6%)	(31.7%)	(1.4%)	(0.2%)	(49.2%)	(50.8%)	(67.0%)	(33.0%)

※ Americas: US 1

   Europe: Belgium 1

   Asia ex-China: Philippines 4, Iraq 3, Russia 3, Kazakhstan 2, Hong Kong 2

 

[ Case management status*, as of 0:00, 27 July (cumulative since 3 January 2020) ]

	Discharged from isolation	Under isolation	Severe/critical cases	Deceased
As of 0:00 26 July (Sun)	12,890	962	15	298
As of 0:00 27 July (Mon)	12,905	971	14	299
Difference	(+)15	(+)9	(-)1	(+)1

 

* Based on case data reported to the KCDC

※ Figures subject to correction based on findings from epidemiological investigations

[ Overall case and test status, as of 0:00, 27 July (cumulative since 3 January 2020) ]

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 26 July (Sun) 1,522,926 14,150 12,890 962 298 19,214 1,489,562 As of 0:00 27 July (Mon) 1,526,974 14,175 12,905 971 299 18,770 1,494,029 Difference (+)4,048 (+)25 (+)15 (+)9 (+)1 (-)444 (+)4,467   * Based on case data reported to the KCDC ※ Figures subject to correction based on findings from epidemiological investigations

[ Overall case and test status, as of 0:00, 27 July (cumulative since 3 January 2020) ]

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 26 July (Sun) 1,522,926 14,150 12,890 962 298 19,214 1,489,562 As of 0:00 27 July (Mon) 1,526,974 14,175 12,905 971 299 18,770 1,494,029 Difference (+)4,048 (+)25 (+)15 (+)9 (+)1 (-)444 (+)4,467   * Based on case data reported to the KCDC ※ Figures subject to correction based on findings from epidemiological investigations

□ The current state* of major local clusters as of today (as of 12:00, 27 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 the Gangseo Central Daycare Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul City, 3 additional cases (2 acquaintances, 1 family member of trainee) were confirmed. In total, 28* cases have been confirmed.

* facility users = 17 cases, facility users’ family members = 3 cases, acquaintances = 6 cases, trainee = 1 case, family member of trainee = 1 case

 

○ Related to an office in Gwanak-gu, Seoul City, 1 additional case (acquaintance) was confirmed. In total, 38* cases have been confirmed.

   * Seoul = 14 cases, Gyeonggi = 5 cases, Jeonbuk = 2 cases, Jeju = 5 cases, Gwangju = 11 cases, Jeonnam = 1 case

 

○ Related to the Personal Information Protection Commission at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongro-gu, Seoul City, 17 are in self-quarantine, and test results of 57 individuals including those in self-quarantine have turned out negative.

 

□ As of 0:00, 27 July, there were 16 imported cases, of which, 7 were confirmed at the point of entry, and 9 were confirmed in the community while in mandatory self-quarantine after arrival. The 16 cases consisted of 9 Korean nationals and 7 foreign nationals.

 

○ The (presumed) location of infection acquisition of the 16 new imported cases are: Americas (1) (US 1), Europe (1) (Belgium 1), and Asia excluding China (14) (Philippines 4, Iraq 3, Russia 3, Kazakhstan 2, Hong Kong 2).

 

○ Related to the construction workers who were repatriated from Iraq, 2 additional cases were confirmed. In total, 76* cases have been confirmed.

   * Quarantine Station = 42, residential facilities = 34

 

□ The KCDC analyzed last two weeks’ COVID-19 control situation along with risk factors.

		28 June ~ 11 July	⇨	12 July ~ 25 July
Average daily new local (domestic) confirmed cases		31.8		19.9
	Seoul metropolitan area	15		15.4
Average daily new imported confirmed cases (average)		19.6		31.4
Cluster infections (new)		12		8
Percentage of cases with uncertain route of transmission		8.5% (61/720)		6.3% (45/719)
Percentage of cases managed under infectious disease prevention and control system1)		less than 80%		less than 80%
Percentage of confirmed cases, aged 20-39		35.8%		39.8%
Percentage of confirmed cases, aged 50 or higher		41%		34%

1) Percentage of cases managed under infectious disease prevention and control system: percentage of new cases that tested positive while under home quarantine

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

 

○ The routes of transmission of the last two weeks: imported cases (436 cases, 62.6%), local clusters (146 cases, 21%), routes of transmission under investigation (43 cases, 6.2%), imported case-related (11 cases, 1.6%), etc.

* New confirmed cases in the last 2 weeks, categorized by route of transmission (696 reported cases between 14 July 0:00 ~ 27 July 0:00)

 

- The number of average daily new local confirmed cases was 19.9 cases, compared to 31.8 cases during the previous two weeks (28 June – 11 July). Small-scale transmissions continued to occur at welfare facilities for the elderly, churches, and military garrisons, etc in the Seoul metropolitan area.

 

	Details
Seoul metropolitan area	Seoul Shinmyeong Investment (9), Gangseo-gu care facility (28), Pocheon military garrison (21), Songpa Love Church (19), Gawanak-gu office (38), etc.
Other areas	Gwangju door-to-door sales (150), family in Gwangju (9), etc.

 

○ By age group, the percentage of confirmed individuals who were in their 50s or above decreased (41% to 34%), and the percentage of confirmed individuals in their 20s and 30s increased (35.8% to 39.8%).

○ During last week (19 July ~ 25 July), 4 patients passed away. 3 were in their 70s and 1 was in his/her 80s. Fatality rate was 24.8% for ages 80 and above and 9.5% for ages 70 to 79.

 

- Routes of transmission: 1 case involving the Gwangju door-to-door sales cluster, 1 case involving the Daejeon door-to-door sales cluster, 1 case involving a meeting at Gangnam-gu, Seoul City, and 1 case under investigation.

 

○ As social welfare facilities resumed operations on 20 July, KCDC asked that facility managers, workers, and users adhere to the following guidelines in order to prevent local transmissions:

 

○ Facility managers:

- Thoroughly disinfect surfaces that often come into contact, including public items, such as wheelchairs, as well as handles and door knobs

- Avoid activities that cause a considerable amount of droplets such as singing

- Space out meal times; avoid talking while eating and sit side by side

- Ventilate often

 

○ Workers associated with facilities:

- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, do not go to work, and get tested

- Do not visit public use facilities, such as clubs, pubs, karaokes, and PC cafes, while refraining from participating in gatherings and meetings

- Wear a mask and personal protective equipment, wash your hands often, and strictly maintain hygiene while working

 

○ Facility users:

- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, such as respiratory symptoms or fever, immediately get tested

- Follow COVID-19 guidelines, such as social distancing (2m recommended), hand washing, and mask wearing, while within the facility

 

○ In response to the increase of imported cases (average 31.4 daily cases during last 2 weeks, up 11.8 from previous two weeks), KCDC designated 6 countries as countries subject to strengthened infectious disease prevention and control, and will continue to formulate practical management plans to prevent importation of cases from abroad.

 

- The following measures were applied to countries subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention:

▴ Limiting visa issuance and flight

▴ Having regular flights fly under 60% seat capacity

▴ Temporary suspension of non-scheduled flights

▴ Limiting re-entry when departing to countries subject to strengthened infectious disease prevention and control

▴ Requiring all foreign nationals to be in possession of a negative PCR test (that was issued within 48 hours prior to the time of departure), which must be submitted upon entry into Korea

 

- The designation* of countries subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention led to a decrease of imported cases from 5 of the designated countries, although imported cases from the Philippines slightly increased.

* Date of designation: Pakistan & Bangladesh: 23 June / Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan: 6 July / Uzbekistan & Philippines: 20 July

 

- Starting 0:00 today, those entering from countries subject to strengthened infectious disease control and prevention are subject to 2 COVID-19 diagnostic tests (1 within 3 days after arrival, 1 on 13th day of quarantine), instead of the prior requirement of 1 COVID-19 diagnostic test (1 within 3 days after arrival), for strengthened management of cases.

 

- In addition, those disembarking from vessels that have entered a Korean harbor are subject to a mandatory diagnostic test (mandated 6 July) and 14 days of facility quarantine (mandated 13 July), regardless of their nationality, for strengthened maritime quarantine procedures. All sailors from Russian vessels who are in frequent contact with local port workers are required to undergo diagnostic testing, regardless of whether they show symptoms (mandated 20 July).

 

- In order to prevent the importation of the virus, KCDC will continue to expand strengthened infectious disease control and prevention and require sailors on vessels that departed from designated countries to submit negative PCR test results that have been issued within 48 hours prior to departure.

 

- Also, in response to the increased number of people coming from overseas, necessary measures to enhance sustainable response against COVID-19 will be undertaken, including having foreign nationals pay for their treatment cost and improving facility quarantine procedures.

 

□ KCDC gave guidance on how to have a safe vacation during the holiday season, and asked that people comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

 

○ During the holiday season, beaches and amusement parks (including water parks) become crowded, and restaurants and entertainment venues near tourist attractions may become vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission.

 

○ In order to prevent transmission, it is asked that people spend this year’s vacation in a safe, relaxed, and resting manner.

 

○ In addition, it was asked that people keep the 3 dos and 3 don’ts:

 

- Dos:

▴Wear a mask when indoors

▴Minimize time spent in rest stops and restaurants

▴Maintain social distancing (2m recommended, 1m minimum)

 

- Don’ts:

▴Do not go on a vacation when you have fever or respiratory symptoms

        ▴Refrain from visiting closed and crowded places, such as entertainment venues, while avoiding crowded vacation spots and busy hours.

▴Avoid activities that produces droplets and physical contact

 

[ 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 local clusters	Contacts of confirmed cases	Linked to imported cases
Seoul	1,574	335	1,078	8	933	68	69	161	9	Nightclubs (139), Richway (119), 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), Wangsung church (30), Dong-an Church-PC Cafe (28), Coupang (24), Gangseo-gu nursing facility (21), Songpa Love Church (18), Gangnam-gu office (16), Gwanak-gu office (12), Gangnam-gu financial institution (8), Gangnam office (Yoohwan DnC) (4), Pocheon military garrison (3), etc.
Busan	168	40	98	12	58	18	10	30	1	Onchun Church (39), Suyeong-gu kindergarten (5), Nightclubs (4), etc.
Daegu	6,939	58	6,132	4,512	699	917	4	749	0	Second Mi-Ju Hospital (196), Hansarang Convalescent Hospital (124), Daesil Convalescent Hospital (101), Fatima Hospital (39), Daegu Acting Academy (10), Nightclubs (2), etc.
Incheon	380	78	289	2	270	9	8	13	0	Coupang (61), SMR newly planted churches group (57), Nightclubs (54), Richway (24), Guro-gu call center (19), Gyeyang-gu real estate agency family (12), SMR door-to-door sales gathering (8), Gangseo-gu nursing facility (5) etc.
Gwangju	203	24	175	9	159	1	6	4	0	Gwangju door-to-door sales (139), Gwanak-gu office (12), Gwangju family (8), etc.
Daejeon	166	19	124	2	101	21	0	23	0	Door-to-door sales in Daejeon (56), The Joeun Clinic (18), etc.
Ulsan	58	24	27	16	4	3	4	7	0
Sejong	50	5	44	1	40	3	0	1	0	Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (31), gym facilities (8)
Gyeonggi	1,514	391	1,016	29	844	78	65	107	6	Grace River Church (67), Coupang (67), Nightclubs (59), Richway (58), Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital (50), Guro-gu call center-Bucheon SaengMyeongSu Church (50), SMR door-to-door sales (32), Yangcheon-gu sport facility (28), SMR Newly planted churches group (25), Lord Glory Church (25), Anyang-Gunpo pastors group (22), Uijeongbu Apartment (22), Pocheon military garrison (18), Lotte Confectionery logistics center (15), Wangsung Church (10), Gangnam office (Yoohwan DnC) (9), Seongnam neighbors gathering (7), Gwangmyeong Soo Clinic (5), Gwanak-gu office (5), etc.
Gangwon	72	21	44	17	26	0	1	7	0	Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital (10), Apartments in Wonju (4), Richway (4), Geumcheon-gu rice milling machine manufacturer (4), etc.
Chung- buk	73	17	45	6	30	7	2	11	1	Goesan-gun Jangyeon-myeon (11), Nightclubs (9), Guro-gu call center (2), etc.
Chung- nam	188	29	147	0	142	4	1	12	1	Gym facilities in Cheonan (103), Daejeon door-to-door sales (15), Richway (3), etc.
Jeonbuk	39	21	13	1	12	0	0	5	0	Daejeon door-to-door sales (3), Nightclubs (2)
Jeonnam	36	19	14	1	10	2	1	3	0	Gwangju door-to-door sales (8), etc.
Gyeong- buk	1,396	27	1,236	566	480	190	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	158	48	90	32	50	6	2	20	0	Geochang Church (10), Wings Tower (9), Geochang Woongyang-myeon (7), Nightclubs (2), etc.
Jeju	26	15	7	0	6	0	1	4	0	Gwanak-gu office related (5), etc.
Ports of Entry	1,135	1,135	0	0	0	0	0	0	7
Total	14,175	2,306	10,579	5,214	3,864	1,327	174	1,290	25
	(%)	(16.3)	(74.6)	(36.8)	(27.3)	(9.4)	(1.2)	(9.1)
* 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

[ Age distribution of severe cases ]
7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 Total 17 17 16 16 19 19 19 21 21 18 16 15 15 14 Severe 4 6 6 4 7 7 8 9 11 6 4 4 4 4 Very severe 13 11 10 12 12 12 11 12 10 12 12 11 11 10
	Total	Severe	(	%	)	Very severe	(	%	)
Total	14	4	(	100	)	10	(	100	)
80 and above	3	0	(	0.0	)	3	(	30.0	)
70-79	7	3	(	75.0	)	4	(	40.0	)
60-69	4	1	(	25.0	)	3	(	30.0	)
50-59	0	0	(	0.0	)	0	(	0.0	)
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]