Emergency Room at Korea University Hospital Closed After COVID-19 Patient Visit

Patient No. 29 Stayed in Emergency Room for About 12 Hours Receiving Treatment Before Confirmed Diagnosis

On the 16th, after closing the emergency room of Korea University Hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where the 29th COVID-19 patient had visited, disinfection measures were initiated. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 16th, Korea University Anam Hospital, where an additional confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) had visited, closed its emergency room and implemented quarantine measures.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters and the hospital, patient number 29, who was confirmed positive on this day, visited the emergency room at 11 a.m. the previous day and received treatment in the critical care area. The patient had no history of overseas travel and had no contact with existing patients, so they did not visit the screening clinic before coming to the emergency room. The symptoms the patient complained of were chest pain, which was quite different from the respiratory symptoms or fever that are typical of COVID-19. It is reported that the emergency room treatment was conducted with myocardial infarction in mind.

While staying in the emergency room, medical staff identified signs of pneumonia on a CT scan. The hospital judged the patient as a suspected COVID-19 case around 2 a.m. that day and transferred them to an isolation ward for inpatient treatment. The patient stayed in the emergency room for more than 12 hours before isolation. Afterward, the patient tested positive in a virus test that morning and was transferred to Seoul National University Hospital, which has a national treatment bed, for isolation treatment. Upon confirmation of the positive test, the hospital immediately reported to health authorities and closed the emergency room.

About 40 people, including medical staff and hospital employees who had contact with the patient, as well as patients in the emergency room at that time, were placed under quarantine. Disinfection measures were taken for the emergency room. Director Jung Eun-kyung stated at a briefing, "The hospital identified the list of suspected patients from the early stage, and from this morning, epidemiological investigators have been reviewing and verifying the list while taking measures," adding, "Exposed patients were isolated in single rooms, and medical staff were placed under self-quarantine."

On the 16th, after closing the emergency room of Korea University Hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where the 29th COVID-19 patient had visited, disinfection measures were initiated. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

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