Pyeongtaek City Enters Stable Phase in COVID-19 Response

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Pyeongtaek City has overcome a critical stage in its COVID-19 emergency situation.

The city announced on the morning of the 9th at 9 a.m. that the fourth confirmed case was discharged from the hospital, and all contact subjects including the fourth patient will be released from isolation by the 10th.

There are a total of 96 contact subjects of confirmed cases being managed by the city, including the fourth patient. So far, 91 people including 38 on the 9th have been released from isolation, and 5 additional people will be released at 0:00 on the 10th.

Among those to be released on the 10th, 3 are family members of the fourth patient. Although there was concern about infection, they have maintained a stable condition with no special symptoms throughout the management period, so the city sees no major issues.

As a result, there will be no confirmed cases or their contacts in Pyeongtaek after the 10th. For the time being, the city will only manage suspected cases from other regions and quarantine facilities, as well as those from screening clinics.

Mayor Jung Jang-seon of Pyeongtaek City said, "Fortunately, Pyeongtaek City has had no additional confirmed cases since the 27th," and added, "Thanks to the responsive efforts of city officials and the voluntary efforts of residents including disease prevention and campaigns, we are rapidly returning to stability."

He further stated, "We will continue to implement thorough quarantine measures as we have done so far, while devising various measures to help the local economy, which faces difficult circumstances, recover quickly," and urged citizens to "make use of family gatherings, visits to nearby relatives, and local restaurants and shops."