By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Many residents of Jecheon in North Chungcheong Province are visiting local healthcare centers for HIV tests following reports that a local HIV-positive taxi driver had multiple sex partners.

According to the regional office, 61 people have undergone HIV tests, about 12 times the usual figure, since the arrest of 27-year-old cab driver Jeon, Friday. The official said no one was yet found to have the virus, but it will forward test samples to a higher institute for close examination.

The center stayed open over the weekend since sex trade workers and several others have visited or asked the center for information about the virus.

Since Jeon said he did not use any protection during sexual intercourse, the fear of HIV infection is higher than ever, a staff member said.

However, experts said the likelihood of catching HIV from unprotected sexual activity with someone who is HIV-positive is a mere 0.5 percent. ``Since Jeon had been taking drugs to control the virus, the odds could be even lower,'' a health expert said.

Meanwhile, local police are tracking the whereabouts of women who reportedly had sex with Jeon. They said most of the driver's partners were female sex workers, but ordinary housewives and others were also mentioned.

An arrest warrant was issued for Jeon, Friday, on suspicion of acting as a mediator in spreading HIV. He said he had sexual relationships with waitresses, sex workers and drunken passengers while driving night cabs since 2003.

He was discharged from military service in 2003 for being HIV positive, police said. According to the law, those diagnosed with HIV here are not obliged to reveal their identity or residence.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr