Park Won-soon "Transition of Quarantine System Inevitable... Expansion to Small and Medium Hospitals and Nursing Hospitals"

Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporter Osangdo] Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, stated that "a transition in the quarantine system is inevitable" in relation to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). To this end, he emphasized the need to first establish a fever monitoring system in small and medium-sized hospitals as well as nursing hospitals. This reflects Seoul City's intention to expand its quarantine system to frontline hospitals following the successive emergence of patients number 29 and 30, whose infection routes have not been identified.

On the 17th, Mayor Park made these remarks while presiding over the 18th Comprehensive Measures Meeting of Seoul City held at the Seoul City Hall. He said, "The infection routes of patients number 29 and 30 have not been identified," "and it seems possible that the infection chain may not be found. We must prepare countermeasures with the mindset that community infection has already occurred."

He continued, "As in the case of patient number 29, the number of people visiting (private) hospitals on the front lines immediately may increase," and urged, "Please establish a fever monitoring system in small and medium-sized hospitals and nursing hospitals as well."

Mayor Park said, "Despite all efforts, I think COVID-19 has entered a new phase," and urged, "Do not simply consider it as a common cold or underlying disease, and please visit the screening clinics at public health centers first."

Mayor Park also expressed concern about secondary infections among family members or acquaintances visiting hospitals for caregiving. He proposed, "As with MERS, many infections may occur in hospitals," and suggested, "Caregiving and hospital visits should be controlled."

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