Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Two USFK dependents test positive for COVID-19
Soldiers screen visitors at the entrance to Camp Humphreys at Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, Feb. 27. Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Two United States Forces Korea (USFK) dependents in Daegu have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of USFK-related infections to six.
The fifth patient, a dependent of a USFK service member, has not been in contact with any other USFK-affiliated person since going into self-quarantine on Feb. 26.
“The Korea Centers for Disease Control (KCDC) and Prevention and USFK health professionals determined contact tracing was not necessary due to the patient's quarantine measures and lack of interaction with others,” the USFK said Thursday. “The patient is currently in isolation under direct medical care and supervision from U.S. military medical providers.”
The sixth patient, a dependent of a U.S. Department of Defense civilian employee, has been in self-quarantine with her spouse since Feb. 28.
“KCDC and USFK health professionals are actively conducting contact tracing to determine whether anyone else may have been exposed. KCDC has directed her to stay at home for isolation,” the USFK said.
USFK remains at the “high” risk level peninsula-wide and is implementing control measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, which has killed 34 people and infected more than 5,600 in Korea. Daegu is one of the country's worst-hit areas.