Five of the seven members of rookie K-pop boy band ENHYPEN tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), their agency announced on Sept. 2.
“ENHYPEN members Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake and Sunghoon have been diagnosed as positive for COVID-19 infection while undergoing self-quarantine,” according to BELIFT Lab. Sunoo and Ni-ki are the other members of ENHYPEN.
The agency said Jake was the first to show symptoms of COVID-19 including coughing and fever and became the first member to test positive for the virus.
“Following the confirmation of a COVID-19 case on a production site, ENHYPEN entered into preemptive self-quarantine from Thursday, August 26, and was classified by government authorities on Friday, August 27 as requiring self-quarantine due to close contact,” BELIFT Lab said.
It added, “During his self-quarantine, Jake began exhibiting symptoms including coughing and fever on Sunday, August 29, and after reporting his symptoms to the local government health center underwent PCR testing. He was found positive for COVID-19 on the morning of Monday, Aug. 30.”
“Subsequently, members Jungwoon, Heeseung, Jay and Sunghoon began showing similar symptoms on Monday, and PCR testing was carried out which confirmed their positive diagnosis for COVID-19,” it said.
The agency said, “Following instructions from health authorities the necessary measures are being carried out, including assignment and relocation to treatment facilities; the members are currently showing light symptoms.”
“After the COVID-19 case occurred on site on Wednesday, August 25, all who were present including the artists underwent PCR testing, were confirmed as negative, and entered into self-quarantine; as such, the possibility of a further spread is low,” it said.
According to the agency, “All artists and staff undergoing self-quarantine performed self-testing twice a day and closely monitored their health, and quickly carried out PCR testing as soon as any symptoms appeared.”
“We apologize for causing concern to all fans by being unable to prevent the occurrence of this series of infections despite our effort to ensure that precautions were in place on site. Our company will provide full support for the rapid recovery of the members, placing the health and safety of our artists as our highest priority. In addition, we will continue to cooperate fully with requests and instructions from government health authorities,” said BELIFT Lab.