"2 COVID-19 Patients in Critical Condition, 14 Receiving Oxygen Therapy... 4 Near Discharge (Update)"

A confirmed COVID-19 patient hospitalized at Cheongdo Daenam Hospital in Gyeongbuk is being transferred to Busan National University Hospital.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Among the confirmed domestic cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), 7 patients have died, and 16 others are identified as severe cases. Among them, 2 are in critical condition. There are also 4 patients whose symptoms have improved and are about to be discharged.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), said at the COVID-19 regular briefing on the afternoon of the 24th, "There are about two patients in serious condition, and about 14 severe patients are receiving oxygen therapy and other treatments."

Director Jung added, "One of the two is classified as severe and remains in critical condition, continuing treatment," and "The other patient's condition worsened slightly yesterday (the 23rd), and they are receiving intensive care." In addition, 14 patients classified as severe are receiving oxygen therapy and other treatments.

For severe patients among those isolated and undergoing treatment, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), mechanical ventilation, and oxygen mask therapy are administered. ECMO refers to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and is used for critically ill patients whose heart and lungs are not functioning properly. Mechanical ventilation through intubation is a device used to treat patients who cannot breathe on their own. Patients whose condition is better than this but have decreased oxygen saturation due to pneumonia receive oxygen mask therapy.

Among the 7 patients who died after being confirmed with COVID-19, 5 were inpatients at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo, Gyeongbuk. Additionally, patient number 38 (female, born in 1963), who was hospitalized at Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, died, and a man in his 40s (born in 1979) who died at his home in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, tested positive for COVID-19 postmortem. The quarantine authorities are continuing to investigate the correlation between their causes of death and COVID-19.

Meanwhile, as of 9 a.m. today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Korea is 763. Among them, 18 have been discharged, and patients number 9, 13, 15, and 20 are expected to be released from isolation today as their symptoms have improved. COVID-19 patients are released from isolation if they test negative twice in real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests conducted 24 hours apart, starting 48 hours after symptoms disappear. Additionally, medical staff make the final decision on discharge considering the patient's underlying conditions and aftereffects.

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