Cluster of Coronavirus Disease Associated with Fitness Dance Classes, South Korea

Abstract

During 24 days in Cheonan, South Korea, 112 persons were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 associated with fitness dance classes at 12 sports facilities. Intense physical exercise in densely populated sports facilities could increase risk for infection. Vigorous exercise in confined spaces should be minimized during outbreaks.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; South Korea; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

Figure

Case map of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases associated with fitness dance classes in Cheonan, South Korea, by date of symptom onset and relationship. Instructors outside of Cheonan are excluded. In 7 cases, transmission was suspected in the presymptomatic phase and the longest period before symptom onset was 5 days. None of the instructors had COVID-19 symptoms on the day of the workshop, but instructors from Daegu, which recently had a large outbreak, developed symptoms 3 days after the workshop. Sports facilities are represented by bars on the left with the number of students per class included. Bold outlines indicate a positive test for COVID-19 in a person in the presymptomatic phase.