Sporadic COVID-19 Cluster Infections Continue in Capital Region...Gyeonggi Province Urges Vigilance

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] As sporadic COVID-19 cluster infections continue to occur centered around the capital region, Gyeonggi Province reiterated the need for heightened vigilance regarding secondary and tertiary infections.

Kim Jae-hun, head of the Gyeonggi Province Department of Health and Welfare, held a regular press conference on COVID-19 response on the 6th and said, "COVID-19 can occur anywhere in facilities closely related to our daily lives, such as offices where we work every day, restaurants we frequent, and cafes."

Director Kim continued, "This weekend, please exercise caution and refrain from unnecessary outings and gatherings, and if you must attend, please be sure to wear a mask and disinfect your hands."

As of 0 a.m. on November 6, the number of confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province increased by 47 compared to the previous day, totaling 5,626, with confirmed cases occurring in 15 cities and counties across the province.

Regarding the transmission routes of new confirmed cases, they include 5 related to a securities firm in Yeouido, Seoul, 4 related to an insurance company in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and 6 related to a nursing facility in Anyang. Among new confirmed cases, 8 cases (17.0%) have unknown transmission routes, and 8 cases (17.0%) are elderly individuals aged 60 and above.

Over the past week from October 26 to November 1, there were 268 confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province, with a daily average of 38.2 cases.

The previous week saw 349 confirmed cases, averaging 49.8 per day, representing a decrease of 11.6 cases.

Among the 268 confirmed cases, the proportion of individuals aged 60 and above was 26.8%, down 8.7 percentage points from the previous week, while conversely, the proportion of confirmed cases with uncertain transmission routes was 10.8%, up 4.4 percentage points from the previous week.

Regarding the confirmed case at a securities firm in Yeouido, Seoul, following the confirmation of a Yongsan-gu resident on November 1, 11 family members and coworkers were confirmed positive between November 2 and 4.

Among them, one resident of Seongnam-si was included, and through this connection, 5 additional individuals including family members and a driver accompanying the confirmed case were confirmed positive on the 5th.

Two family contacts of the confirmed cases were tested, with one testing negative, and investigations into contacts and movement routes are ongoing for three family members of the confirmed case residing in Seongnam-si.

Following the confirmation of one resident of Goyang-si working at an insurance company located in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on November 4, one resident of Kimpo-si who is an insurance company employee and three family members of the Seoul confirmed case residing in Goyang-si were additionally confirmed positive on the 5th, bringing the total confirmed cases to 5 as of 0 a.m. on the 6th.

Of the two family members of the confirmed case residing in Kimpo-si who were tested, both tested negative, and 12 contacts are under home isolation and active and passive monitoring.

For the three Goyang-si family members of the Seoul confirmed case, contacts and movement routes are being identified.

As of 0 a.m. on November 6, Gyeonggi Province has secured 675 hospital beds for confirmed patient treatment across 16 hospitals, with 362 beds (53.6%) currently in use.

Of 49 beds for severe patient treatment, 45 beds are currently in use.

As of 6 p.m. on the 5th, the third community treatment center located in Icheon-si and the fourth community treatment center located in Goyang-si have 229 people admitted, showing an operation rate of 45.9%, with remaining accommodation capacity for 269 people.