Mayor Oh Keo-don Orders "Daily Situation Updates on SNS"

Busan City Holds Meeting on New Coronavirus Infection Countermeasures

Precautionary measures for preventing novel coronavirus infection. (Photo by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Yoseop] Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don has taken active measures to respond to the novel coronavirus infection.

Busan City announced that, following the elevation of the novel coronavirus infection crisis alert to ‘Warning,’ an emergency joint countermeasure meeting with related agencies was held on the morning of the 28th, chaired by Mayor Oh.

From today, the city will actively disclose infection status reports through SNS, the official website, and the media.

At the meeting, a comprehensive report was given focusing on the measures taken so far and the revised and strengthened guidelines following the elevation of the crisis alert to ‘Warning.’ Subsequently, the roles and response plans of all departments and bureaus, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, district and county health centers, Busan Medical Center, Pusan National University Hospital, and the National Police Agency were discussed.

Busan City decided to focus on managing health centers and medical institutions designated as screening clinics within the city as key points for early containment of suspected infectious disease outbreaks. In addition, safety education and management for incoming overseas tourists were strengthened, and each department and bureau thoroughly checked their respective responsibilities to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Mayor Oh stated, “The most important thing is the sharing of accurate information. There is nothing more dangerous than deliberately hiding information or spreading false information,” adding, “From today, the city’s situation reports will be shared on the official SNS and my personal SNS accounts.”

He also said, “Please monitor the situation calmly but seriously,” and “The safety of citizens is the most precious goal of the 7th local government term. We will do our best.”

Currently, three confirmed contacts in Busan are being managed one-on-one by designated public officials. Among 12 suspected reports, three tested negative, and nine are under active monitoring. Since the 20th, Busan City has formed an emergency quarantine task force to prevent further spread, maintaining a 24-hour emergency contact system and conducting emergency duty.

After the meeting, Mayor Oh visited the screening clinics established at Busan Medical Center and Dongnae District Health Center, received explanations about the monitoring and transfer system for suspected patients, and urged citizens visiting medical institutions to immediately visit the local screening clinic if they experience even minor suspicious symptoms such as fever or cough after traveling abroad, to cooperate in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Busan City plans to establish screening clinics at 16 health centers and emergency medical centers and to continuously expand them until the situation stabilizes. The areas where screening clinics operate and regional emergency medical centers include Dong-A University Hospital, Pusan National University Hospital, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, BHS Hanseo Hospital, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Daedong Hospital, Good Samsun Hospital, Dongnam Regional Nuclear Hospital, and Busan Medical Center.

As of 9 a.m. on the 27th, the domestic and international status of novel coronavirus infection cases stands at 2,798 (China 2,744, Taiwan 4, Japan 4, USA and Canada 3, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore 17, Southeast Asia 15, Australia 4, France 3, Korea 4), with 80 deaths reported only in China.

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