[Report] Selective Screening Clinics That Cannot Stop Despite 'Strong Wind Warning After 21 Years' (Comprehensive)

Strong Wind Warning Issued in Seoul for the First Time in 21 Years
Screening Clinics That Cannot Stop Operating
to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] At 8 a.m. on the 19th, when the wind was so strong it was hard to keep balance, the morning at the Sinchon Severance Hospital screening clinic in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul was busy. 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 coming for 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 screening clinic operation. Each pole was secured with more than 100 kg of weight. 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 warning was issued, we have been thoroughly preparing to ensure there is no disruption in the operation of the screening clinic. Usually, we hang one 25 kg sandbag on each tent pole, but we added three more sandbags prepared the day before today to secure them."

Morning Scene at Sinchon Severance Hospital in Seoul
Secured with 25 kg Sandbags and Ropes
Drive-Through Screening Clinics Suspended Due to Strong Winds
Striving to Prevent 'Test Refugees'

Thanks to these preparations, there appeared to be no problems with the operation of the screening clinic. The testing process, which includes ▲basic epidemiological investigation ▲payment ▲medical interview ▲specimen collection, proceeded without changes. There were no signs of tents shaking violently or equipment being blown away by the wind, which had been a concern. A hospital official stated, "If the strong winds make it 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 issued a strong wind warning at 12 p.m. that day for Seoul, parts of Gyeonggi and Chungcheong inland areas, and mountainous areas of Gangwon. The strong wind advisory issued at 9 a.m. for these areas was upgraded to a warning after three hours. This is the first time a strong wind warning has been issued for Seoul since the Korea Meteorological Administration began compiling related statistics in 1999.

A strong wind advisory is issued when wind speeds of 14 m/s or more, or instantaneous wind speeds of 20 m/s or more, are expected on land, while a strong wind warning is issued when wind speeds reach 21 m/s or more, or instantaneous wind speeds reach 26 m/s or more. The Korea Meteorological Administration reported, "Strong winds are blowing mainly in mountainous and coastal areas with maximum instantaneous wind speeds around 25 m/s (about 90 km/h), and winds are also blowing inland at 18 m/s (about 65 km/h)."

Seoul City decided not to operate the drive-through screening clinics for that day only, as the tent and container structures are vulnerable to strong winds. The city explained, "Due to typhoon-level strong winds, specimen collection is not smooth, and there is a risk of contamination from the strong winds, so we decided to suspend operations."

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