The quarantine network pierced by the moon bath… a’third pandemic’ prolonged by sporadic group infections

As of the 15th, 168 confirmed cases of a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) related to a sauna in Daesang-dong, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. It has been six days since the first patient came out on the 9th. The positive rate based on 2991 people, including those who had contact with the confirmed case, reached 5.6%. This is a very high number considering that the positive rate of new patients with Corona 19 in Korea is 1.13%. It is suspected that the infection has already spread considerably.

The fact of the infection of the first confirmed person was revealed in the examination before departure abroad. Through an epidemiological investigation, the quarantine authorities confirmed that three additional confirmed patients in the early stage visited the sauna in Daesang-dong. One of them went to the sauna for several days instead of the screening laboratory even with suspected symptoms of Corona 19 such as chills. This confirmed person was a user of’Monthly Bath’. In general, moon bathing is a method of receiving a discount instead of paying for several months in advance. It is said that the number of moon bath users of the sauna is about 200.

The quarantine authorities are confirming the specific route of infection. In addition, it is also investigating whether it is infected with a mutant virus, which is known to have a stronger spread than the existing Corona 19 virus.

According to the Central Defense Countermeasure Headquarters, there are 25 cases of new group infections counted in the last week (March 7-13), including Jinju sauna. It is an analysis that the third pandemic has not entered a stable phase as sporadic group infections continue. The average number of new corona19 patients per day during the same period was 428.3. The previous week (February 28-March 6) increased 15.2% from 371.7. The average number of confirmed patients per week is on the rise after lowering the social distancing stage on the 15th of last month.

In a week, the number of patients whose infection route was skewed increased. In the case of the’investigation’ rate of the actual infection route, it increased from 22.2% (the first week of March) to 24.5% (the second week of March). Instead, the management ratio in the quarantine network fell from 46.9% to 38.4%. This management rate refers to the rate that was classified as contact person, etc. and confirmed while self-isolation measures were being taken.

Here, there are cases of mutant virus infections, which are known to have stronger transmission power than the existing coronavirus. This situation is also confirmed among domestic group infected people in addition to foreign immigrants. According to Bang Dae-bon, 31 additional mutant virus infections have reached 288 so far.

The newly added 31 mutant virus infections came out in the process of full-length genome analysis of 359 corona19 confirmed samples since the 11th of this month. There were 12 cases (4%) out of 399 cases in Korea. All of them are Koreans and are from the UK. Overseas inflow was 19 out of 60 (31.7%). There is a mixture of domestic and foreigners. Types were 12 from UK and 7 from South Africa.

Eight out of 12 new domestic mutant infections are related to existing outbreaks, including family members in Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, a food company in Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, a manufacturing industry in Yeoju-si, a funeral hall in northern Busan, and a golf practice center in Ulsan. Two of them were confirmed by a church in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where no mutant virus infection has been confirmed. In addition, mutation infection was newly confirmed in two individuals who were not classified as existing group infection cases.

Choi Won-seok, a professor of infectious medicine at Korea University Ansan Hospital, said, “It is the same as when Corona 19 first entered Korea. “The route of infection (of the mutant virus) is not linked to overseas entry,” he said. “It is spreading to the local community. “It doesn’t appear to be the majority of the total patient incidence yet, but the transmission situation needs to be controlled.”

However, even in such a situation,’contact’ between people is increasing as movements increase during the holiday season. Professor Choi said, “If the amount of movement increases, it is a good condition for the spread of the existing virus.” We need to reduce the incidence of patients,” he said.

Jeong Eun-kyung, head of the Bangdae Headquarters, also cited risk factors such as increased movement and mutation. In a regular briefing on the 15th, Jung said, “The increase in contact between people due to spring and school opening is a risk factor.” We are conducting on-site inspections to ensure that the relevant quarantine regulations are properly followed.”

Reporter Minwook Kim [email protected]