Gwangju City Takes Direct Action Against Novel Coronavirus

Transition to City Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Response System... Return to Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

Mayor Lee Yong-seop: "We will focus the capabilities of local health personnel to further prevent spread"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City has shifted to a disaster and safety countermeasure headquarters system in response to the novel coronavirus infection, directly taking action to block the spread of infections and manage the situation.

After the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection was identified in Gwangju on the 4th, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which had been operating a direct response system, completed procedures such as group quarantine of contacts by the 6th.

On the morning of the 7th, Gwangju City held a joint meeting in the city hall's medium conference room, attended by Gwangju City, five autonomous districts and health centers, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 31st Division, the 1st Combat Flight Wing, the Gwangju Medical Association, the Gwangju Pharmaceutical Association, and the Korean Red Cross Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch to discuss response measures for the novel coronavirus infection.

At the meeting, support measures for group quarantine facilities such as 21st Century Hospital and the Gwangju Fire Academy dormitory were the main focus, and the quarantine status of the autonomous districts was inspected.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop said, "To prevent secondary and tertiary infections within the region, cooperation between health authorities and related organizations, as well as citizen cooperation, is crucial," adding, "From now on, the city disaster and safety countermeasure headquarters will actively and proactively respond in unison with the local community to block additional infections and alleviate inconveniences for those in quarantine."

He continued, "Medical personnel such as doctors and nurses at quarantine facilities and volunteers are needed," and urged, "District health centers, medical associations, and other organizations should step forward to provide support."

The city medical association stated, "We will immediately send official letters mainly to regional base hospitals to request medical personnel support."

The five autonomous districts and health centers proposed ▲ securing kit supplies due to the expansion of screening clinics ▲ establishing a system to connect suspected cases with the relevant health centers, and decided to review plans to support medical personnel they have on hand at group quarantine facilities for contacts.

The Korean Red Cross Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch will support about 500 emergency relief items and volunteers, and is also considering providing one regular meal per day at quarantine facilities using the meal vehicle recently supported by Gwangju City.

Additionally, the 31st Division and the 1st Combat Flight Wing expressed their intention to support quarantine activities in key areas such as airports, Songjeong Station, and terminals.

Accordingly, Gwangju City plans to support quarantine facilities as soon as medical personnel, relief supplies, and daily necessities are secured.

Furthermore, Gwangju City and the five autonomous districts will establish an organic cooperation system, share all information, and implement manpower utilization according to the situation to block the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop said, "We will strengthen living support for quarantine facilities and ensure that protective equipment such as masks is supplied to citizens as a top priority," adding, "We will build a cooperative system not only with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but also with Jeonnam Province to respond actively and prevent further spread."

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