Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin: "Yeungnam University Hospital Must Resume COVID-19 Testing Quickly"

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin said at the regular briefing on COVID-19 response on the 20th regarding the issues raised about Yeungnam University Hospital, "At least during wartime, we must all unite without disputing right or wrong." Photo by Lee Young-wook

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Young-wook] Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin expressed the position that COVID-19 testing should be resumed quickly at Yeungnam University Hospital, where testing has been suspended.

At a regular briefing on COVID-19 response on the 20th, Mayor Kwon stated regarding the Yeungnam University Hospital issue, "At least during wartime, we must all unite without quarreling," expressing this view.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters raised the possibility of laboratory contamination at Yeungnam University Hospital regarding the partial positive suspicion of COVID-19 in high school student A (17), who died the previous day from pneumonia symptoms. Consequently, COVID-19 testing at Yeungnam University Hospital was suspended. However, immediately after the Central Disease Control Headquarters' announcement, Yeungnam University Hospital Director Kim Sung-ho sent a text message to department heads within the hospital, expressing discomfort by saying, "I believe the truth will be revealed through quality control and re-examination."

At the briefing that day, in response to the question, "There are voices of distrust regarding COVID-19 testing at Yeungnam University Hospital," Mayor Kwon said, "I think there is no place as accurate as South Korea," adding, "There may be statistically questionable parts, but the hospital should be allowed to treat patients and conduct diagnostic tests as soon as possible." He also said, "Yeungnam University Hospital is doing its best, and the Central Disease Control Headquarters is also doing its best," emphasizing, "Responsibility should not be shifted to anyone."

Furthermore, he stressed, "During wartime, there may be situations where false alarms are a concern and small mistakes can occur," adding, "I think that blaming and searching for causes should be refrained from on the battlefield."

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