[Q&A] Authorities: "System Organized to Prevent Disruption in Treatment of Severe Patients Not Related to COVID-19"

The health authorities suspected the possibility of laboratory contamination and technical errors regarding the partial positive result from Yeungnam University Hospital's COVID-19 test on 17-year-old high school student A, who died showing symptoms of pneumonia in Daegu. The photo shows the main entrance of Yeungnam University Hospital in Nam-gu, Daegu, on the afternoon of the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Jeong Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated on the 20th, "We will promptly reorganize the medical system so that suspected COVID-19 patients and general emergency and severe patients can receive proper medical care."

At a briefing that day, Head Jeong expressed regret regarding the recent death of a 17-year-old high school student who was hospitalized with pneumonia symptoms. She said, "Many confirmed cases have occurred in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, and emergency rooms are seeing many severe patients, so the medical system is under greater strain than usual. There were unfortunate incidents such as elderly patients dying early due to medical system overload."

To prevent such incidents, health authorities have designated severe emergency medical centers in each region and operate "Safe Hospitals" nationwide to allow patients with symptoms unrelated to COVID-19 to access care comfortably. However, there are criticisms that the actual medical delivery system did not function properly, as the 17-year-old high school student, despite having symptoms like fever, was unable to be admitted to a hospital initially.

Head Jeong's remarks indicate the quarantine authorities' intention to improve the medical system to reduce similar harm. She emphasized, "Before test results come out, it is difficult for medical staff to distinguish (COVID-19 infection status). It is necessary to consult with the medical community to gather wisdom and create a system that fits the situation."

Below is a Q&A with Head Jeong.

- In hospitals in regions with many patients, there are cases where patients must test negative to be admitted or are admitted to separate isolation wards. Hospitals say it is difficult to respond due to unclear guidelines from authorities. Are you reviewing supplementary measures related to Safe Hospitals?

▲ For suspected symptoms, proactive isolation admission and moving patients to general wards after testing are supported by health insurance. Measures such as requiring COVID-19 tests for ICU admissions are in place, so hospital infections are not widespread, and screening is conducted outside Daegu before admission. Discrimination against patients from Daegu should be avoided as much as possible. There have been suggestions to improve Safe Hospitals and outpatient procedures to fit COVID-19 characteristics, and discussions are ongoing with medical delivery system officials within the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. It is necessary to organize a system where general patients can receive care safely and suspected COVID-19 patients can receive appropriate treatment, and methods are under review.

- Among arrivals from Europe, those who test negative and have short-term stays are under active monitoring. Is there no need for quarantine?

▲ About 1,000 arrivals from Europe, over 80% are Koreans. Most can self-quarantine. Among foreigners, 70% are long-term residents, and the rest are short-term. All are tested to filter cases. Considering the incubation period and possibility of symptom onset, quarantine is appropriate. However, for short-term stays, after one test, monitoring is done via self-management apps and health center phone checks to enable early testing if symptoms appear. We will continue to improve management methods based on the situation.

Jung Eun-kyung, Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters

- Are there no additional quarantine strengthening measures for countries other than Europe, such as the United States?

▲ Currently, about three imported cases have occurred from the U.S., and cases are increasing rapidly. Although the incidence rate is not as high as in Europe, we plan to monitor continuously and review whether additional measures are needed based on test results of arrivals.

- Is there no need for universal testing in nursing hospitals where small-scale group infections continue?

▲ The regions of greatest concern for community infection are Daegu and Gyeongbuk. In Daegu, universal testing has been conducted for about 80%. In Gyeongbuk, over 500 cohort isolations are underway. Sample testing is ongoing. Based on results, risk will be assessed and expanded testing will be conducted if necessary.

- There are concerns about the reliability of test results from Yeungnam University Hospital.

▲ (Lee Sang-won, head of diagnostic test management) The term "contamination" is commonly used in laboratories and is currently considered a temporary issue. This does not mean that experiments at Yeungnam University are unreliable. Due to handling many more specimens than usual, vulnerability to contamination is inevitable. A response team composed of experts from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine is assessing the situation on-site. They will eliminate contamination and help the laboratory operate normally.

- Is universal testing of arrivals from Europe feasible?

▲ In Daegu, testing took time because subjects were at home and specimens had to be collected individually, and screening clinics had to be set up. Testing arrivals is faster because they arrive together and stay in one facility. Testing will be distributed and results confirmed on the same day to manage admission or self-quarantine transitions.

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