More than a dozen employees of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Research Center on Suwon Campus were found positive in COVID-19 tests. This is the first time that more than 10 employees have been infected at a single Samsung Electronics business site in Korea since the outbreak of the virus.

The company said that an employee working at the R5 building of the Mobile Research Center was confirmed to be infected by COVID-19 on Aug. 2. In response, the company immediately closed down the building and conducted COVID-19 tests on more than 100 officials who closely contacted the infected employee. A total of 12 additional employees on the same floor of the building tested positive.

Samsung Electronics plans to lock down the floor of the R5 building where infection cases occurred for two weeks. During this period, all employees working on the floor will work from home. Quarantine authorities are reportedly conducting an epidemiological survey at the site.

The R5 building is home to the Mobile Research Center and is not physically connected to production lines. "The building where the confirmed cases occurred is a research facility, and there will be no production disruptions," a Samsung Electronics official said. "We will take measures according to the guideline set by quarantine authorities."

Earlier in November 2020, a total of seven employees working on the same floor of the R5 building tested positive. In addition, infection cases occurred sporadically at Samsung Electronics' business sites across the country.

Since July 27, Samsung Electronics has been inoculating employees on Suwon Campus and at business sites in Gumi, Gwangju, Giheung, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek and Cheonan with Pfizer vaccines. Those subject to vaccination are 18 to 59 years old employees and employees from partner companies. The second round of inoculation will begin on Aug. 25.