Authorities: "First patient at Daesil Nursing Hospital is a 4th floor worker... Symptoms appeared on the 2nd" (Comprehensive)

Image source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that occurred at Daegu Daesil Nursing Hospital and Jamieju Hospital are believed to have been caused by external infection sources, according to the opinions of quarantine authorities and local governments.

On the afternoon of the 31st, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, said at a regular briefing, "In the case of Daesil Nursing Hospital, it has been identified that a healthcare worker responsible for the 4th floor showed symptoms starting from March 2," adding, "It is presumed that after the outbreak at Daesil Nursing Hospital, the infection spread to Jamieju Hospital through close contact, and we are reviewing this by checking CCTV footage."

Deputy Head Kwon also stated, "The healthcare worker was confirmed positive on March 18, which is quite a long time after the symptoms appeared," and added, "Workers at psychiatric hospitals, nursing hospitals, and social welfare facilities, where vulnerable patients reside, should refrain from working if symptoms are suspected to prevent greater damage. From the quarantine authorities' perspective, this aspect is regrettable."

Daegu City also announced at a regular briefing on the morning of the same day, "We have identified circumstances indicating that a patient who tested positive for COVID-19 had been visiting Daesil Nursing Hospital." The city is also investigating with whom this patient had contact within the hospital.

The psychiatric hospital Jamieju Hospital (floors 8 to 11) and Daesil Nursing Hospital (floors 3 to 7) share the same building. As of midnight on the same day, a total of 228 confirmed cases were reported from both locations. There were 134 cases related to Jamieju Hospital and 94 related to Daesil Nursing Hospital.

Some have suggested the possibility of airborne infection through the building's air conditioning system. However, the quarantine authorities have a different assessment. Jung Eun-kyung, Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said at a briefing the previous day, "According to the Daegu City investigation, ventilation was insufficient, and the positivity rates among staff and inpatients differ, so it is difficult to consider this as an airborne infection," adding, "We believe it is more likely that the transmission occurred through close contact between patients."

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