Prime Minister Jeong: "Securing Hospital Beds in Daegu is Top Priority... Usable Bed Statistics Must Be Organized"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting at Daegu City Hall and delivering opening remarks.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun said on the 27th that as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly increased in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, causing an emergency in securing isolation beds, "Statistics should be organized based on beds that can be used immediately."

Prime Minister Jeong presided over a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at Daegu City Hall on the same day and stated, "Many confirmed patients are waiting at home without receiving treatment because there are no prepared beds for hospitalization. It is truly regrettable and I feel sorry."

He added, "We must respond with the mindset that the confirmed patient is my family. There should be no distinction between local and central governments or ministries," and urged, "All possible resources must be deployed swiftly. Ministers of related ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, should actively cooperate with Daegu City and prioritize securing available beds."

He continued, "Mayors of local governments nationwide should also check whether the beds they have secured are ready to immediately accommodate confirmed patients and prepare necessary measures in advance."

Prime Minister Jeong also said, "From today, mask supply through the public distribution network will begin," and instructed, "Since many citizens now consider masks not just daily necessities but lifelines, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety should carefully ensure that citizens can purchase masks easily without confusion."

He added, "Please thoroughly manage, inspect, and verify that the newly established government policies operate properly."

Finally, Prime Minister Jeong said, "Yesterday, I visited the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service Daegu Hospital, which is preparing to accommodate confirmed patients. I met with the hospital director and staff who made difficult decisions despite the heavy burden," and mentioned, "Feeling their resolute will, sense of duty as medical professionals, and spirit of sacrifice, I am confident that we can overcome this crisis."

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