코로나19 신규확진 13명 나흘째 10명대... 의료진 감염으로 촉각
South Korea's daily infections of the new coronavirus stayed below twenty for the fourth straight day today as the country saw a marked slowdown in cluster infections linked to a nightlife district in Seoul.
But the country is facing yet another potential mass infection, this one tied to a major hospital in Seoul.
This is the first time that medical personnel from one of the nation's largest hospitals have been confirme with the virus.
Kim Ji-yeon reports.
The number of newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 rose by 13 on Tuesday, bringing the total in South Korea to 11-thousand-78.
Of the 13, nine were local transmissions.
Amid a slowdown of cases linked to multiple nightclubs in Itaewon, the number of new infections has increased by less than 20 for the fourth straight day.
But, authorities are on alert due to further possible cluster infections stemming from hospitals.
"The number of Itaewon-linked cases is slowing down... but local infections with unidentified transmission routes continue to pop up."
In a press briefing, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said four nurses from Samsung Medical Center, one of the country's largest general hospitals, have contracted the virus.
Parts of the hospital have been temporarily shut down... and those who have been in contact with the nurses are being tested.
But, authorities are yet to identify the nurses' infection routes.
Samsung Medical Center is on high alert as more than half of the country's 186 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome cases in 2015... were reported from the hospital.
Another confirmed case came from a radiographer at Kangnam General Hospital in Yongin... which has also resulted in a temporary shut down.
Authorities said that with the help of related experts, they aim to release guidelines for effective quarantine measures at high-risk facilities within the month.
Guidelines for test site operatives working during the hot summer season have already been delivered... with problems expected to arise on account of medical staff needing to wear thick protective clothing.
The guidelines include the installation and safe operation of air conditioners, the direction of airflow and filter maintenance.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.
