Over 2,800 Suspected COVID-19 Patients Transported by 119 Ambulance Teams in Seoul

Among Them, 43 Confirmed Cases... 967 Firefighters Also in Self-Quarantine
"Thank You for Your Hard Work" Citizens' Encouragement and Letters Continue

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Since January, a total of more than 2,800 suspected cases of COVID-19 transported via 119 ambulance services in Seoul have been recorded. Nearly 1,000 firefighters have entered self-quarantine after transporting these patients.

According to the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 25th, from January 23rd, a total of 2,843 citizens used the 119 ambulance service due to suspected COVID-19 symptoms, among whom 43 were confirmed positive.

The number of suspected patients transported exceeded an average of 80 per day in the second week of March, peaking at 123 on March 10th, but gradually decreased to the 60s in the latter half of the third week.

Additionally, the cumulative number of firefighters who were quarantined due to transporting suspected patients until the 23rd of this month reached 967, with 27 firefighters currently under infection monitoring and self-quarantine.

Since 119 paramedics are working on the front lines of infectious disease response, they are actively practicing 'social distancing' to prevent infection risks and cross-infection among staff.

The Fire and Disaster Headquarters and Dobong Fire Station have installed temporary partitions in cafeterias and offices to block droplet transmission among colleagues, and Eunpyeong Fire Station has set up an on-site civil service office with the same concept as a screening clinic.

Along with citizens' support for 119 paramedics, donations of supplies such as masks continue. On the 22nd, a second-grade student from Gayang Elementary School brought a thank-you letter and collected masks to Gangseo Fire Station, and siblings attending Hakdong Elementary School also delivered letters and masks to Gangnam Fire Station. At Jungnang Fire Station, a student from Wonmuk Elementary School handed over a handwritten letter cheering on the firefighters.

A Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters official said, "On the 18th, an anonymous father and a child about seven years old visited Songpa Fire Station and left a letter saying 'We want to give masks to the hardworking firefighters' along with 43 masks. When a staff member hurried out to express thanks after reading the letter, they only said they lived nearby and left."

Shin Yeol-woo, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "We appreciate the encouragement and support sent to the 119 paramedics who are quietly performing their duties on the front lines in response to COVID-19. We will do our best on site until the day COVID-19 is eradicated."

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