Despite 30,000 COVID-19 Cases in Germany, Italy Agrees to Accept Critical Patients

Italy, France See Surge in Patients, Some Regions in Germany to Accept Critical Cases
Germany Also Faces Bed Shortages, Utilizing Venues Like Event Halls
"Solidarity Beyond Borders"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] German hospitals have opened their doors and announced that they will accept Italian patients infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Germany has extended a helping hand to Italy, which is overwhelmed by the explosive increase in COVID-19 patients.

According to foreign media on the 24th (local time), the eastern German state of Sachsen accepted six COVID-19 patients from Italy via air transport. North Rhine-Westphalia also plans to receive and treat 10 critically ill COVID-19 patients from Italy within a few days. Although North Rhine-Westphalia has the highest number of COVID-19 patients in Germany, it decided to accept patients considering Italy's difficult situation.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The Minister-President of Sachsen stated that they accepted the patients at the request of the Italian government. This is the first time European countries have agreed to take in Italian patients.

Italy currently has a cumulative total of 69,176 confirmed COVID-19 cases, making it the country with the second highest number of cases worldwide after China. In particular, due to shortages of medical resources, many patients are unable to receive proper treatment, resulting in 6,820 deaths.

Germany accepted the patients considering Italy's difficult circumstances. Moreover, Germany made this decision despite having 32,991 confirmed cases, ranking fifth highest in the world. However, Germany has recorded only 159 deaths, maintaining the lowest fatality rate globally. This is attributed to its well-equipped medical system, considered the best among developed countries.

When COVID-19 first emerged in European countries, Germany also showed the most reluctance to close borders, citing the spirit of the European Union (EU).

However, Germany is also facing a shortage of intensive care beds and is currently securing treatment spaces by utilizing event halls and hotels as part of a national emergency response.

German hospitals have also accepted and are treating COVID-19 patients transferred from France ahead of Italy.

Armin Laschet, Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, stated, "We need solidarity across borders," and added, "We want to uphold the spirit of Europe."

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