The

health authorities said that 73% of those who attended the church's meeting were confirmed. The reason is presumed that the same people met repeatedly in a small space, and about 70% of them were found to be confirmed without symptoms.

This is reporter Kim Hyung-rae.

<Reporter> The

health authorities said 73% of attendees in Incheon Pioneer Church were confirmed corona19.

Twenty-four patients were diagnosed with corona19 as a result of a diagnostic test on 33 people that the pastor who was first identified in the case was contacted.

The authorities explained that it was the result of gathering closely in a small space and praying for hymns without wearing a mask.

In addition, 71% of the initial diagnoses were asymptomatic in the asymptomatic state.

[Son Yeong-Rae/Ministry of Health and Welfare: 71% of the 24 confirmed patients, 17 were asymptomatic at first, so it would have been difficult for these members to suspect infection by symptoms.]

Corona 19 As the population spread, the number of congregation-related churches increased to 23.

The second and third infections occurred as participants attended contact with believers and families in their own church or home.

The health authorities urged them to refrain from spending various Bible studies and prayer meetings, especially in the metropolitan area, and to conduct religious activities face-to-face.

[Kwon Joon-wook/National Health Research Institute: The most common places for religious gatherings are religious groups or religious facilities.] In

particular, the World Health Organization recently lowered the criteria for high-risk seniors from 65 to 60. He said that he had adjusted, and the elderly and the underlying patients were warned to pay special attention.

(Video coverage: Mincheol Kim, Video editing: Park Ji-in)