"Autumn Foliage Travel Could Become a Catalyst for Large-Scale COVID-19 Spread"...Gyeonggi Province Urges Strict Adherence to Quarantine Guidelines

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] Amid the autumn foliage season, Gyeonggi Province expressed concern about potential cluster infections of COVID-19 from increased travel expected during this period and urged strict adherence to quarantine guidelines.

Kim Jae-hun, Director of the Health and Wellness Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, stated at a regular COVID-19 response press conference on the 16th, "As the government has designated October 17 through November 15, the peak foliage period, as an intensive quarantine management period for autumn, quarantine guidelines must be strictly followed even while traveling," and explained the quarantine guidelines.

Those planning to hike during the foliage season should refrain from group hiking through mountaineering clubs or outings, instead hiking near home, in family units, using private vehicles. During hikes, maintain a distance of more than 2 meters, and avoid shouting or singing, which carry high risk of respiratory droplet transmission. When consuming food, avoid facing each other, and wear masks at all times even in open outdoor areas. Before and after hiking and outings, check for fever and respiratory symptoms without fail; if symptoms are present, cancel the trip or return early and visit a local health center.

Director Kim urged, "While enjoying the autumn scenery, please strictly observe personal quarantine guidelines such as wearing masks and hand washing to prevent becoming a catalyst for large-scale spread."

As of 0:00 on the 16th, confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province increased by 17 from the previous day, reaching a total of 4,769, with confirmed cases occurring in 9 municipalities and districts in the province. Regarding the transmission routes of new confirmed cases: 2 related to neighborhood gathering in Dongducheon, 1 related to confirmed case at Suwon National Tax Service Regional Office, 2 related to Uijeongbu Master Plus Rehabilitation Hospital, etc. Among new confirmed cases, 2 cases (11.7%) with unknown transmission routes and 3 elderly persons aged 60 and above accounting for 17.6%.

The cluster infection confirmed cases in Dongducheon City, estimated to have been transmitted through a friend gathering, increased by 2 additional cases as of 0:00 on the 16th, bringing the total to 24. Currently, 11 people who contacted the confirmed cases have been placed in self-quarantine, and 1 person is under active monitoring.

One employee of the Suwon National Tax Service Regional Office received a confirmed diagnosis as of 0:00 on the 16th, after symptom onset on the 5th. The confirmed case's transmission route is estimated to be contact with the patient's mother, a confirmed case from Gangnam-gu, Seoul, confirmed on the 14th. Currently, the 7th floor where 80 people worked has been closed and disinfected; a total of 25 people were tested with 14 placed in self-quarantine, 10 under active monitoring, and 1 under passive monitoring. Additionally, each team was instructed to conduct self-initiated active monitoring for two weeks.

Regarding Uijeongbu Master Plus Rehabilitation Hospital, following the first case on the 6th, 2 additional confirmed cases received diagnosis as of 0:00 on the 16th, bringing the total to 60 confirmed cases. The new confirmed cases are 1 patient and 1 caregiver, who tested positive in the fourth diagnostic test conducted on the 15th, after 42 patients in isolation on the 5th floor were transferred to Gyeonggi Province Medical Center Anseong Hospital on the 13th. Given the nature of rehabilitation hospitals with frequent contact between caregivers and patient attendants, a fifth diagnostic test is scheduled for the 19th for the 40 people who tested negative. Currently, 96 people are in isolation on the 3rd floor and 56 on the 4th floor, and quarantine is scheduled to be lifted on the 21st and 19th respectively, depending on additional diagnostic test results.

As of 0:00 on the 16th, Gyeonggi Province has secured 674 confirmed patient treatment beds across 16 hospitals, with 222 beds (32.9%) currently in use. At the 3rd Living Treatment Center located in Icheon and the 4th Living Treatment Center in Goyang, 91 people are admitted as of 18:00 on the 15th, showing an operation rate of 21.3%, with remaining accommodation capacity for 336 people.