[Report] Screening Clinic That Cannot Stop Despite 90km/h Strong Winds... Secured with 100kg Sandbags

On the morning of the 19th, staff at Sinchon Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, are securing the canopy tent in preparation for strong winds.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] At 8 a.m. on the 19th, when the wind was so strong that it was hard to keep one's balance, the morning at the screening clinic of Sinchon Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul was busy. On this day, the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted that the maximum instantaneous wind speed in inland areas would exceed 65 km/h, but the operation of the screening clinic to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) could not be stopped. About 10 people, including 2 doctors, 8 nurses, and 1 radiologist, greeted those undergoing COVID-19 tests.

From early morning, Sinchon Severance Hospital, designated as a Public Relief Hospital (a hospital that separates respiratory patients from non-respiratory patients for treatment), was busy preparing for the strong winds. Staff came out and attached four sandbags weighing over 25 kg each to every tent pole installed outside for the operation of the screening clinic. Each pole was secured with a weight exceeding 100 kg. In preparation for any emergency, the container housing the X-ray examination equipment and the canopy tent (a shade to block rain and wind) were tightly tied with ropes.

A Severance Hospital official said, "Since the day before the strong wind forecast was announced, we have been thoroughly preparing to ensure that the operation of the screening clinic is not disrupted. Usually, one 25 kg sandbag is attached to each tent pole, but we added three more sandbags prepared the day before today to secure them."

For the operation of the screening clinic, four sandbags weighing over 25 kg each were attached to every pillar of the tent installed outside. Each pillar was secured with a weight exceeding 100 kg.

A Severance Hospital official said, "Since the day before the strong wind forecast was announced, we have been thoroughly preparing to ensure that the operation of the screening clinic is not disrupted. Usually, one 25 kg sandbag is attached to each tent pole, but we added three more sandbags prepared the day before today to secure them."

Thanks to these preparations, there seemed to be no problems with the operation of the screening clinic. The testing process, which proceeds through ▲basic epidemiological investigation ▲payment ▲medical interview ▲specimen collection, also continued without change. There were no signs of the tents shaking violently or items being blown away by the wind, which had been a concern. A hospital official stated, "If the strong winds worsen and it becomes difficult to operate the outdoor screening clinic, we plan to receive testees through the screening clinic set up in the emergency room."

The Korea Meteorological Administration had forecasted typhoon-level strong winds nationwide from early dawn on this day until the morning of the 20th. According to the Meteorological Administration, very strong gusts with instantaneous maximum wind speeds exceeding 90 km/h are expected. The Seoul Metropolitan Government decided not to operate the drive-through screening clinic for this day only, as tents and container structures may be vulnerable to strong winds in case of emergency. The Seoul city government stated, "Due to typhoon-level strong winds, specimen collection is not smooth, and there is a risk of contamination from the strong wind, so we decided to suspend operations."

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