As the coronavirus spread rapidly across the country, propelled by the highly transmissible omicron strain, a member of K-pop girl group ITZY, Yeji, tested positive for the virus on Monday, the group's management agency announced. The virus has already infected more than a dozen members of the group.

In a statement on the group's official website for fans, JYP Entertainment stated that Yeji had undergone polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing yesterday and had obtained a positive result today.

Everyone in the five-piece group performed the initial PCR test on Saturday to see whether any of them had the coronavirus, and only Lia was found to be infected with the virus after being proven positive. Ryujin and Chaeryeong were found to be negative, while Yeji and Yuna were retested after having inconclusive findings the first time.

According to the organization, Yeji has received all of her vaccinations and is currently treating herself at home without exhibiting any symptoms other than a little fever.

Yuna, who participated in the second test alongside Yeji, was given a negative result as well. K-pop singer Yeji was the latest in a string of infected K-pop stars to be identified.

Approximately 20 K-pop stars, including Tablo of Epik High, Sunoo of Enhypen, and Wonwoo of Seventeen, have been found to be infected with the virus in the last week. CNBLUE's Jung Yong-Hwa and 2AM's Jo Kwon, Jeong Jin-Woon, and Lim Seul-Ong are also among the group's members.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, South Korea recorded 54,619 new COVID-19 infections on Monday, with the number hovering above 50,000 for the fifth consecutive day (KDCA).