Andong-si, Gyeongbuk, Reports Zero COVID-19 Cases...Nation's First 'Quarantine Gate' Installed at Tourist Sites

Last COVID-19 Patient Discharged on 20th... Organizational Restructuring and Equipment Enhancement to Prepare for Second Wave

The disinfection gate installed at Andong Citizens' Hall as Andong City prepares for the second wave of COVID-19.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] On the 20th, the last patient in Andong City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where 53 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were reported, was declared fully recovered and discharged.

On the 21st, Andong City announced this news and issued a press release stating, "We will thoroughly prepare for the second wave of COVID-19 through more effective and thorough responses."

In Andong, since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 occurred on February 22, a total of 53 cases were recorded until April 19. They received treatment at Andong Medical Center, provincial medical centers, and residential treatment centers for periods ranging from as short as 5 days to as long as 67 days. The average isolation treatment period for confirmed patients was 23 days.

From late February to early March, when a large number of confirmed cases occurred, Andong City was the first nationwide to designate the Andong City Youth Training Center (formerly Haagreen Park Youth Training Center) as a residential treatment center, admitting 61 people including overseas entrants, focusing on blocking community spread, and as a result, achieved a 100% recovery rate early on. There were no deaths during this period.

Unlike other local governments, Andong City explained that by broadly selecting test subjects including symptomatic individuals, suspected patients, and contacts for diagnostic testing, they were able to minimize additional confirmed cases.

To prepare for the second wave of COVID-19, Andong City plans to install screening clinics at public health centers, purchase negative pressure tents and special negative pressure ambulances, and additionally secure special disinfection vehicles.

Furthermore, the current organization, which operates only as an infectious disease management team, will be completely reorganized to actively respond to the second wave of infectious diseases. The Health Management Division of the public health center will be renamed the Infectious Disease Response Division and will be composed of the Infectious Disease Response Team, Epidemiological Investigation Team, Disinfection Management Team, Testing Team, and Medical Treatment Team to respond quickly and proactively.

In addition, Andong City is paying close attention to the safety of 10 million tourists by being the first nationwide to custom-produce and install 'non-face-to-face safe quarantine gates' at major tourist sites, fitting its status as a tourism hub city.

Mayor Kwon Young-se said, "Although the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases has reached zero, it is not over until it is over," and pledged, "We will focus administrative power on ending COVID-19, thoroughly prepare for the second wave that the medical community is concerned about, and not neglect the revival of the local economy."

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