[Q&A] Government "Infection While Queuing for Masks? ... Considerable Concern"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government forecasted that the number of recovered patients will increase in the future as the domestic isolation release criteria for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were relaxed the day before.

Kim Kang-lip, the 1st Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a regular briefing on the morning of the 2nd, "In foreign countries, isolation release is done with much more flexible criteria than in our country," and made this statement.

The quarantine authorities decided that even if patients were hospitalized in medical institutions the day before, they could be discharged if symptoms improved and recover at residential treatment centers or at home based on the judgment of the attending physician and patient management team. Until now, discharge decisions were made after two consecutive negative virus tests conducted at 24-hour intervals.

Chief Coordinator Kim predicted, "Assuming an average treatment period of 2 to 3 weeks, the number of recovered patients can increase only after at least two weeks have passed since the period when domestic confirmed cases increased (mid to late February)."

Below is a Q&A with Chief Coordinator Kim.

- There are criticisms that the government's mask supply method has problems.

▲ Since the 1st was a weekend, not all public distribution channels were open. Therefore, the available supply was provided mainly to places that were operating. At this morning's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting, additional measures to secure mask production were discussed. There were voices calling for efforts to devise ways for the public to secure masks in a balanced manner, as additional measures are needed to distribute masks more easily without waiting in line. More masks will be distributed today than yesterday.

- When do you expect a significant increase in recovered patients?

▲ Isolation release can only be made after a certain amount of time has passed since the period when confirmed cases increased. It is still difficult to make a premature judgment, but I cautiously expect that it will be at least two weeks after the initial increase in confirmed cases.

- If (mild) patients already hospitalized do not get discharged, can the goal of securing beds (due to the restructuring of the treatment system) be achieved?

▲ New guidelines include provisions allowing the attending physician to transfer patients to residential treatment centers if deemed more appropriate. Through this, we expect to secure beds smoothly and minimize damage by ensuring that patients with higher severity are hospitalized and receive proper treatment.

- Are there plans to expand residential treatment centers in the Daegu area?

▲ Daegu City will also actively work to expand centers. Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo has stated that the goal is to expand centers to accommodate about 1,000 people in the future.

- Since deaths are increasing among those waiting for hospitalization after confirmed diagnosis or awaiting test results, securing the golden time seems crucial. How much can the time from treatment system reorganization to facility or bed assignment be shortened?

▲ The goal is to assign beds in the shortest time possible immediately after confirmation, but the patient's condition must be checked first. Even confirmed patients must be checked on-site for age, underlying diseases, etc., and decisions on bed assignment and transfer must be made. Since confirmed patients cannot use general public transportation, this process takes considerable time. We are combining past trial and error and good cases to build the system as efficiently as possible. We regret the unfortunate cases and are making continuous efforts to improve the system.

- The Ministry of Justice and Seoul City say that the quarantine authorities must accuse Shincheonji for forced investigations like seizures to proceed smoothly.

▲ We have repeatedly stated that if evidence is found that the Shincheonji sect intentionally or for various reasons hindered cooperation with quarantine authorities, the government is prepared to take all possible measures. However, until such evidence is confirmed, it is also very useful to induce voluntary cooperation through consultations with Shincheonji by utilizing the information they provide as much as possible. We are also mindful that coercive government measures might cause Shincheonji believers to hide or not disclose information secretly, which could have a negative effect on quarantine efforts.

- There are concerns that additional infections may occur while lining up to buy masks. What quarantine measures is the government considering?

▲ This morning's CDSCH meeting focused on this issue and reviewed possible measures. There is considerable concern about lining up, and we will re-examine the risk of infection during mask purchases. If necessary, we will consult with local governments.

- The president's work report today included content on expanding the organization of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). What is the Ministry of Health and Welfare's position on upgrading it to the Disease Control Agency under the Prime Minister?

▲ The Ministry of Health and Welfare actively supports strengthening the organization and functions of the KCDC. However, there will be various discussions within the government and National Assembly about which measures are effective. Especially, upgrading to an agency requires amendments to the Government Organization Act in the National Assembly, and if done, it is expected to have many positive aspects.

However, in terms of organic cooperation between health authorities and quarantine authorities during infectious disease crises, separation and independence as an agency might rather hinder cooperation. There is no disagreement that the organizational system and functions must be strengthened so that the quarantine countermeasures headquarters can function maximally during crises. However, in establishing roles with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, it must be ensured that roles are clearly divided, mutually complementary, and efficiently linked during crises, while also ensuring smooth mobilization of medical resources, utilization of medical institutions, and cooperation with medical personnel held by quarantine authorities.

- Nurses at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Pohang Medical Center, designated as a COVID-19 dedicated hospital, collectively resigned. Such incidents may occur elsewhere; are there related countermeasures?

▲ One of the most serious problems is the fatigue of medical staff. Especially in areas like Daegu and Gyeongbuk, where patients are concentrated, medical staff are unable to take adequate rest. Also, since they work wearing protective gear, working conditions are much more difficult than in usual medical settings. Moreover, they must remain vigilant against infection themselves, leading to high mental fatigue.

Medical staff are still insufficient, but patients continue to increase. Therefore, concentrating medical resources mainly on severe patients is expected to minimize harm to medical personnel. The government will also devise ways to guarantee rest time on-site as soon as additional personnel are secured.

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