CLUSTER OUTBREAK AT NURSING FACILITIES

[Anchor Lead]

Another cluster outbreak of COVID-19 has occurred at a nursing facility in the Seoul metropolitan area. To prevent the spread, the government has decided to strengthen social distancing measures in high-risk groups and expand testing.

[Pkg]

On October 24th, the first COVID-19 case related to this nursing facility for people with serious disabilities was reported. The number of cases spiked to 25 in just one day. One of the first confirmed patient's close contacts from Dongducheon also tested positive, and the total number increased to 26.

[Soundbite] (OFFICIAL FROM YEOJU CITY GOVERNMENT(VOICE ALTERED)) : "He apparently received a checkup there. He was probably infected by someone from outside."

As of midday, October 25th, the number of new cases from a nursing facility in Namyangju stood at 49. Medical and nursing facilities in Gunpo and Anyang reported 40 cases. To prevent the spread at nursing facilities, the government unveiled new measures. Mass testing is already underway at such venues in the capital area. The government is considering strengthening social distancing measures on a weekly basis in administrative units with high risk of community spread, and conducting testing in high-risk groups in advance. Prevention rules will also be stepped up at bars and clubs ahead of Halloween. By the end of this month, inspections will be conducted at clubs in Itaewon, Hongik and Kunkuk university areas, Gangnam, Gyodae, Sinchon, Bupyeong and Busan. The crackdowns will take place between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on weekends.
Facilities will be ordered to close right away after a single violation.

[Soundbite] PARK NEUNG-HOO(CENTRAL DISASTER AND SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES HEADQUARTERS) : "We understand the desire to have small parties. But if we let our guards down now, we could face a new wave of infections yet again."

The government plans to continue the national flu vaccination program, as the benefits of inoculation greatly outweigh risks given that more than 3,000 people in the country die from seasonal influenza annually.