A notice has been posted on the 17th of last month, saying that there will be no worship services at a church in Noryangjin, Seoul, on the 17th of last month, when the government decided to upgrade the social distancing stage in the metropolitan area from stage 1 to stage 1.5 from the 19th. Reporter Woo Sang-jo
– Group infections from churches are appearing in Seoul and other parts of the country. In Dangjin and Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do, 38 new congregants and contacts related to churches were confirmed, and in Daegu, the cumulative number from Youngshin Church increased to 47. In order to prevent the spread of Corona 19, the quarantine authorities have called for non-face-to-face worship, small meals, and meals, but the number of confirmed cases is rapidly increasing without being well observed in the field.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that 51 additional confirmed cases occurred at Seongseok Church in Gangseo-gu, Seoul as of 0 o’clock on the 13th. The cumulative number of confirmed cases has increased to 140 since the first patient came out on the 6th at this church.
The city of Seoul cited frequent meetings and non-compliance with the quarantine rules as the cause of the occurrence of a bunch of confirmed cases of Sungseok Church. The number of members of this church identified by the city of Seoul is about 600. A Seoul city official said, “I don’t know where the virus influx came from, but I think the choir will be the center of the infection.”
The reason that the Seoul Metropolitan Government designated the choir as a link of infection was through epidemiological investigations such as closed circuit (CC) TV and statements from church officials. The choir practice room was identified as a structure with poor ventilation due to one small window. As a result of a field investigation in the practice room, empty cup ramen containers, chopsticks, and disposable containers were found here. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, some choir members wear masks that cover only their chin (aka’tusk’) when practicing, or use translucent masks worn by food cookers.
An official from an epidemiological investigation in Seoul said, “After the practice in the practice room, there were traces that seemed to be eating food.”
‘Seoul 9:00 p.m. paused’, but church face-to-face worship… 7-week revival meeting
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Corona 19 new confirmed cases. Graphic = Reporter Kim Young-ok [email protected]
– Acting Seoul Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup announced on the 4th’Stop after 9pm’ to prevent the spread of Corona 19 in Seoul. With measures such as’actually a curfew’, after 9 p.m., only delivery of restaurants and cafes was allowed, and marts were closed. Subway and bus services also cut 30% after 9pm. Despite high-intensity measures, churches, etc., “recommended” non-face-to-face worship.
Since face-to-face worship was allowed, Sungseok Church held face-to-face worship on the 29th and 6th of last month. The church also showed that it held a revival meeting from Monday to Friday for 7 weeks in an epidemiological investigation in Seoul. The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained, “The church held a 7-week revival meeting until the 3rd, and the decisive spread of infection is believed to have spread to the church members through Sunday worship services on the 29th of last month.” An official from Seo-gu Kang said, “We are going to decide whether to ban gatherings on the 14th for the church that is temporarily closed.”
“Lunch after worship” group infection at Dangjinseodo church
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Corona 19 cumulative confirmed patients since August. Graphic = Reporter Cha Junhong [email protected]
– In Dangjin and Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do, members of the Naeum Church in Dangjin were tested positive for Corona 19. According to the city of Dangjin, a total of 40 people, including 31 members of Naeum Church, 1 student at Shinpyeong High School, 5 people at the Irum Senior Welfare Center, 1 person at the Masil Senior Welfare Center, and 2 examiners at the Dangjin General Hospital screening clinic, were investigated. In budget, it was found that two people in their 20s and 50s who attend Naum Church on this day were infected.
Naum Church was found to have had lunch with 40 people after the service on the 6th. Dangjin Mayor Kim Hong-jin said, “out of 40 new confirmed cases (from the 13th), 38 were contacted with churches.” He added, “Since there are multiple confirmed cases, we will consider raising the social distancing from the current stage 2 to stage 2.5.”
At the Yeongshin Church in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, there were 47 cumulative confirmed cases. As of 0 o’clock on the 13th, 10 visitors to the Youngshin Church and 2 people who had contact with the church members received additional confirmations. In addition, four family members who lived in Gyeongsan and had contact with Youngshin Church members were tested positive.
According to an epidemiological survey in Daegu City, Youngshin Church did not wear masks while practicing eating and singing. An official from Daegu City explained, “As we continue to check additional visitors and contacts of the church, the number of new confirmed cases may increase.”
Reporters Kim Bang-hyun, Kim Yoon-ho, Kim Hyun-ye [email protected]
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