Lee Jae-myung, Nationwide First Infectious Disease Private Expert Emergency Meeting... Urges "Cooperation"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has decided to actively utilize available private resources for the first time nationwide in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia). Accordingly, the province will urgently deploy five private epidemiological investigators to the field under the authority of the governor. In addition, 50 screening clinics within the province have been selected for operation.

On the 28th, Gyeonggi Province held a joint emergency expert meeting between the public and private sectors at the provincial situation room to discuss responses to the novel coronavirus infection and presented such proactive measures. This is the first time among local governments nationwide that a joint emergency expert meeting between public and private sectors has been held.

Participants in the emergency meeting included the Gyeonggi Medical Association, Gyeonggi Medical Center, Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Gyeonggi Infectious Disease Control Support Group, Myongji Hospital, and Gyeonggi Hospital Association.

Immediately after the emergency meeting, the province finalized 50 screening clinics to quickly identify suspected patients and prevent indiscriminate influx of symptomatic individuals into medical institutions. These institutions are emergency medical institution-level or higher hospitals and public medical institutions equipped with isolation treatment and testing spaces, as well as mobile X-ray equipment for pneumonia confirmation. The province plans to further expand the number of screening clinic medical institutions.

Additionally, five private epidemiological investigators who have completed epidemiological investigation training will be appointed under the governor’s authority, mobilizing private available resources to the fullest extent.

The province will also conduct a thorough survey through 46 public health centers within the province of foreign workers inside and outside medical institutions, such as caregivers and medical personnel, who have visited China or had contact with visitors from China.

Gyeonggi Province will strengthen publicity related to the novel coronavirus. Promotional materials indicating the locations and phone numbers of screening clinics will be posted throughout all medical institutions in the province. In addition, preventive measures will be promoted through various channels including banners, posters, apartment elevators in each city and county, G buses, the Gyeonggi Province website, and official social media platforms.

In particular, the '2020 Korea Basic Income Expo,' originally scheduled to be held at the Suwon Convention Center from February 6 to 8, will be tentatively postponed. The province is also actively considering reducing or postponing events it hosts in February and March.

Since the Basic Income Expo is a large-scale event with about 30,000 participants including domestic and international scholars, experts, and officials from local governments nationwide, preventing the potential spread of the novel coronavirus infection is deemed an urgent priority.

Furthermore, the province will urgently allocate a total of 600 million KRW from the Gyeonggi Province Disaster Management Fund, with 300 million KRW each to Goyang City and Pyeongtaek City where confirmed cases have occurred, as initial quarantine measure expenses. The funds will be used to purchase quarantine supplies, hand sanitizers, hygiene products, etc., for use at public health centers and other facilities.

The province has also prepared quarantine measures for public transportation. Until the novel coronavirus infection is eradicated, bus and taxi drivers will be required to wear masks and gloves. Bus and taxi companies will be instructed to conduct disinfection activities at least once a day, and hand sanitizers will be kept available inside vehicles for passengers.

Additionally, the province will investigate the status of provincial and public institution employees who have visited China within the last 14 days. If such employees are found, they will be placed under self-quarantine (working from home) until 14 days have passed. Frontline workers such as public health center staff and 119 emergency medical technicians are urged to strictly adhere to safety guidelines.

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, promised, "We will swiftly mobilize all available public and private resources to prevent the early spread of the novel coronavirus infection," and added, "We will respond with full force to ensure that the safety and health of residents are prioritized under any circumstances."

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