Nationwide Surge in Suspected Cases... Local Governments Strive to Prevent Spread (Comprehensive)

Amid the spreading fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' on the 28th, fever screening was conducted for hospital visitors at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
Seongnam - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy reporters Sangdo Oh, Younggyu Lee, Hyesook Park, Ilwoong Jung, Hyunju Lee, and Yeongnam Coverage Headquarters reporter Chulin Ju] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) in South Korea increased to four, local governments nationwide have also entered an emergency response mode. They are operating 24-hour quarantine task forces and expanding hospital beds, making every effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In Daegu, two suspected cases occurred on the 27th, and on the 28th, tests were conducted at Kyungpook National University Hospital to confirm infection status. Both tested negative. Mr. A, who lives in Daegu, reported symptoms similar to a cold after returning from China, and Mr. B, who has ties to Gyeongbuk, is known to have visited Wuhan.

On the same day in Gangwon Province, a woman in her 20s showing suspicious symptoms visited Gangwon National University Hospital. This woman, residing in Seoul, reportedly developed symptoms after visiting Chuncheon. It is presumed that she had contact at a pharmacy visited by the third confirmed domestic patient. On the same day, Mr. Lee (36) was classified as symptomatic at a hospital in Giheung-gu, Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, and was transferred to the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam. However, he tested negative according to the Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment and was discharged on the morning of the 28th.

In Busan, a woman in her 30s who showed suspicious symptoms and was transferred to Busan National University Hospital tested negative and was released from isolation. This woman had lived in Wuhan, China, and entered the country on the 14th for the Lunar New Year holiday, showing fever symptoms from the 27th. She tested negative in the examination conducted at Busan National University Hospital. In Busan, all three people who had contact with confirmed novel coronavirus patients or showed suspicious symptoms tested negative as of that day. In Seoul, anxiety is spreading following the movement path of the third confirmed patient. The third confirmed patient, a man in his 50s, is known to have visited a plastic surgery clinic, restaurants, hotels, and the Han River area in Gangnam-gu. The Gangnam District Office and health centers have been receiving a flood of calls from residents expressing anxiety and asking about response measures.

As the government raised the infectious disease crisis alert from 'caution' to 'warning,' local governments have been responding swiftly. Seoul has maintained a 24-hour quarantine task force system for eight consecutive days. The city designated two hospitals, Seoul Boramae Hospital and Seoul Medical Center, and 25 health centers as its own screening medical institutions and prepared negative pressure wards. On the 28th, after the holiday, all subway station staff in Seoul started work wearing masks. Hand sanitizers were also provided at ticket gates. The city held a video conference with the World Health Organization (WHO) at the Seoul Global Center at 11 a.m. that day. Mayor Park Won-soon also ordered strong preemptive measures, stating, "Overreaction is better than delayed response."

Incheon City, which has airports and ports, maintains a cooperative system with airport quarantine stations to enable immediate response in case of suspected patients. Along with operating a 24-hour emergency quarantine system, screening clinics were installed at 20 emergency medical institutions. On the 27th, Gyeonggi Province transformed its existing 'Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters' into a 'Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' headed by the governor. Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters were also established in 31 cities and counties under its jurisdiction, and information is shared through video conferences for cities and counties chaired by the governor or deputy governor. The number of designated screening medical institutions by the province has already reached 57. On the morning of the 28th, an emergency countermeasure meeting was held presided over by Governor Lee Jae-myung, attended by private infection experts.

In Chungnam Province, the visit schedule of Chinese group tourists planned until the end of next month was abruptly canceled. Earlier, the province had attracted about 3,000 Chinese tourists in cooperation with tourism associations and travel agencies, but considering the recent situation, the visit schedule was requested to be canceled. Daejeon City and Sejong City also formed task forces and epidemiological investigation teams to continue surveillance centered on local health centers.

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