"Tracing Can't Keep Up with Spread" 30.3 New COVID-19 Cases per Day in Seoul Metropolitan Area (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government stated that although the average daily number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Seoul metropolitan area exceeds 30, there are sufficient treatment beds available.

Kim Kang-lip, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 17th, "In the past 30 days, the average daily confirmed cases in the metropolitan area were 30.3, and the total number of isolated confirmed patients is 906, increasing by an average of 19.9 per day."

Currently, there are 21 severe patients in the metropolitan area, and 47 treatment beds are available. However, as the proportion of elderly people aged 60 and above is increasing, the government is considering the utilization of intensive care beds nationwide.

There are 959 beds available in infectious disease-dedicated hospitals, and a total of 512 rooms are available in residential treatment centers for mild patients.

To secure intensive care beds in the metropolitan area, the government plans to convert some beds in base dedicated hospitals and install intensive care equipment in general negative pressure rooms, in addition to utilizing intensive care beds nationwide. Patients with moderate severity will also be treated at infectious disease-dedicated hospitals in adjacent areas outside the metropolitan area. The government is also pursuing additional residential treatment centers for mild and asymptomatic patients.

Coordinator Kim said, "So far, there have been no difficulties in securing beds and treatment in the metropolitan area," but added, "We are also preparing response plans in case of a sudden surge in confirmed cases."

He added, "Even in the metropolitan area, where medical resources are relatively abundant, a rapid increase in confirmed cases could lead to difficulties without active support from other provinces and the private sector," and noted, "It is a frustrating situation where the tracing speed of the quarantine authorities is not sufficient to keep up with the spread of infection, resulting in continued community transmission."

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