이태원 클럽 확진 133명... 중고생들 및 3차 감염
South Korea is battling to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 taking hold in the country after a breakout at clubs and bars in Seoul's Itaewon area.
Officials say this coming weekend will be critical in determining the success or otherwise of the nation's social distancing efforts.
Kim Do-yeon reports.
As of 6PM Thursday, at least 142 COVID-19 cases linked to Itaewon clubs have been confirmed and the government believes this number could rise further.
Many of those cases are secondary infections.
For example, 14 cases reported were linked to a private academy instructor in Incheon, who was confirmed last Saturday.
The instructor had been teaching classes without wearing a face mask.
The majority of those 14 are either middle or high school students, and some were infected from being in contact with other students.
The instructor had hidden their employment details, which led to a delay in government's reaction.
It is still aggressively responding to the cluster.
"15,000 have been tested yesterday alone, and 35,000 tests have been done so far in regards to the Itaewon clubs."
The government has promised anonymity for those being tested, and it will also look into credit card information and CCTV footage to thoroughly check for anyone with possible contact with those infected.
But it is still appealing for anyone who visited the clubs to come forward voluntarily.
"Please note not being tested could expose not only yourself but people around you and our society, so please be responsible."
The government also said that this coming weekend is a critical moment for the country's social distancing efforts.
And the related agencies will have to review whether additional measures have to be put in place to respond to the rise in cases.
South Korea has seen a total of 10,991 confirmed cases as of midnight Thursday with a new reported death, bringing the death toll to 260.
Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News
