Gyeonggi-do Elevates Response to Novel Coronavirus Crisis to 'Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters'

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has upgraded its existing quarantine countermeasures headquarters to a 'Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' led by the governor in response to the increase in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection.

On the 27th, Gyeonggi Province announced that with the infectious disease crisis alert level raised from 'Caution' to 'Warning,' the Gyeonggi Province Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters (headed by the Director of the Health and Wellness Bureau), which had been operating until now, will be expanded and operated as the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (9 teams, 43 members) led by the governor.

Additionally, the province is operating the disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters of 31 cities and counties 24 hours a day, sharing information and delivering response policies through video conferences targeting cities and counties chaired by the governor or vice governor.

Regarding the 57 designated screening medical institutions within the province, on-site inspections have been completed by each city and county by this day, and official letters have been sent requesting thorough management of Chinese caregivers in various medical institutions such as nursing homes.

The province is particularly preparing for all possible scenarios by gradually expanding isolation beds within the province.

Currently, 26 rooms (28 beds) are being operated at Myongji Hospital, the National Armed Forces Capital Hospital, and Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, which are nationally designated inpatient treatment beds, and in case of additional confirmed cases, six Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Centers will be utilized.

These medical centers have 18 nationally designated beds and 23 negative pressure beds available.

Nevertheless, if beds are insufficient, the province is actively considering using the entire medical centers and utilizing the Gyeonggi Human Resources Development Institute's Sudeok Hall (41 rooms) as a quarantine facility for contacts.

Furthermore, the province plans to strengthen its response system by pre-secure response personnel, isolation beds, stockpiled supplies, and by inspecting the health centers' emergency quarantine response posture and the operation status of screening medical institutions.

On the 28th, a special emergency countermeasure meeting involving private infectious disease experts will be held to discuss future response plans.

A provincial official stated, "Gyeonggi Province is responding swiftly and proactively to the novel coronavirus infection," adding, "We plan to provide the fastest and most accurate disease-related information possible to minimize the anxiety of residents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.