Increase in COVID-19 Confirmed Cases... Busy Response by Local Governments in Chungcheong Region

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly increases, local governments in the Chungcheong region are becoming increasingly busy in their response efforts. Support measures for small business owners in each region, who have been affected by the spread of COVID-19, and the tireless efforts of medical staff continue.

According to Daejeon City, Sejong City, and Chungcheongnam-do as of 9 a.m. on the 28th, a total of 26 people in these areas have been confirmed positive for COVID-19. By region, there were 13 confirmed cases in Daejeon, 12 in Chungnam, and 1 in Sejong. In terms of total confirmed cases, the scale is not large compared to other regions such as Daegu and Gyeongbuk. However, between the 26th and 28th, 10 new cases were added in Daejeon and 9 in Chungnam, increasing the possibility of community transmission. Even in Sejong, where the number of confirmed cases is relatively smaller than in Daejeon and Chungnam, it is difficult to rule out the increase in cases centered around Shincheonji Church of Jesus members within the region.

Looking only at the total number of confirmed cases, the scale is not large compared to other regions such as Daegu and Gyeongbuk. However, in Daejeon and Chungnam, the number of confirmed cases has sharply increased, with 6 new cases added in each area between the 26th and 27th, heightening community anxiety.

Although the number of confirmed cases in Sejong is relatively small, it is difficult to exclude the possibility of an increase in cases centered around Shincheonji Church of Jesus members in the region. Previously, Sejong City received a list of 620 Shincheonji members active in the area from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and conducted a full investigation. However, 148 people (24.9% of the total) did not respond to phone consultations, and among those who did, 16 reported suspicious symptoms, leaving concerns that the number of confirmed cases may increase in the future.

The increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases has also made local governments busier. Common focuses include strengthening quarantine activities aligned with the movement paths of confirmed cases, supporting medical sites, and providing assistance to small business owners affected by the spread of infectious diseases.

For example, Chungnam recently strengthened quarantine and safety responses by closing some entrances of the provincial government building and prohibiting office access to visitors and clients following the government's elevation of the COVID-19 crisis level to 'serious.' Meanwhile, Daejeon disinfected subway stations, buses, commercial areas, and took temporary closure measures according to the movement paths of confirmed cases.

The medical sector is also showing signs of busyness. First, Chungnam urgently hired 16 temporary workers, including doctors and nurses, to respond to COVID-19. These newly hired personnel are expected to work at screening clinics or perform infectious disease-related tasks from March to May as part of specialized measures against the spread of COVID-19.

In Daejeon, medical staff from Chungnam National University Hospital are working tirelessly on the front lines together with Daejeon City. This nationally designated hospital currently deploys all medical staff to screening clinics regardless of their specialty, handling shift work and managing isolation wards. Notably, Chungnam National University Hospital is managing not only confirmed patients from the Daejeon area but also severe patients transferred from other regions such as Pohang Medical Center and Cheongdo Daenam Hospital.

Additionally, local governments are focusing administrative efforts on supporting the local economy, which has been weakened by COVID-19, and assisting small business owners affected by the situation. Since the 9th, Chungnam has been providing 50 billion KRW in emergency management stabilization funds to local small and medium-sized enterprises, small business owners, and self-employed individuals. Daejeon decided on the 14th of this month to provide 40 billion KRW in management stabilization funds and purchase-condition production funds to local SMEs. Furthermore, on the 27th, Daejeon announced that the Daejeon Credit Guarantee Foundation would provide an additional 30 billion KRW in emergency stabilization funds to local small business owners.

Sejong is also strengthening support for small business owners and SMEs in response to COVID-19. The city is providing early full support (15 billion KRW) for the 'Small Business Management Stabilization Fund,' which had previously been supported quarterly with limits, and has additionally allocated 10 billion KRW to the currently supported 12 billion KRW 'SME Emergency Management Stabilization Fund.'

Heo Tae-jeong, mayor of Daejeon, said, "Unfortunately, the number of confirmed cases in the region has recently increased to 9," adding, "The city will conduct epidemiological investigations on the movement paths of newly confirmed cases and close contacts, immediately disclose the results, and focus on disinfecting facilities within those paths."

He also emphasized, "We will simultaneously make efforts to overcome the difficulties faced by small business owners due to the additional confirmed cases of COVID-19," and added, "The city will continue to actively listen to the voices of small business owners on the ground, promptly prepare alternatives, and develop additional support measures to minimize the damage to small business owners."

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