"Pohang Medical Center, Warrior Leading Victory in COVID-19 Battle... Normal Treatment Resumes"

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, Visits Site to Present Appreciation Plaques and Bouquets to Medical Staff

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Pohang Medical Center, which was converted into an infectious disease-dedicated hospital from February 21, when the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) struck Gyeongsangbuk-do, resumed normal medical services on the 24th after about three months.

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, visited Pohang Medical Center on this day to encourage the staff for their dedicated efforts in treating COVID-19 patients and preventing the spread within the region, as the hospital returned to normal operations.

Since February 21, Pohang Medical Center had emptied the entire hospital (vacated beds) and operated 183 beds exclusively for COVID-19 confirmed patients, treating a total of 327 confirmed cases to date.

In particular, whenever the situation was at its worst due to cluster infections in the province?such as the Shincheonji outbreak at the end of February, the Bonghwa Pureun Nursing Home in early March, and the Gyeongsan Seoyoyang Hospital in mid-March?the medical staff at Pohang Medical Center shared the hardship with Gyeongbuk Province and worked tirelessly day and night on the front lines to provide the best possible care for patients, earning high praise.

At the event, many touching behind-the-scenes stories were shared, including the story of a grandson who cared for his grandmother with dementia infected by COVID-19 while wearing protective gear, the story of the oldest confirmed patient in the country?a 104-year-old grandmother?who was discharged with a smile, and the story of a social worker who was hospitalized together with an intellectually disabled person under their care after the latter tested positive, serving as an exemplary case even in desperate circumstances.

Governor Lee presented plaques of appreciation and bouquets to the meritorious individuals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and nutritionists, who had devoted themselves together in the presence of about 100 medical staff and related personnel.

During the conversation, Governor Lee said, "You are the wonderful warriors who led the war against COVID-19 to victory," and bowed his head, expressing sincere gratitude for their pivotal role in COVID-19 prevention, fighting with a sense of mission on the front lines to protect the health and safety of the residents."

Meanwhile, Pohang Medical Center plans to complete its role as a dedicated hospital after treating the remaining four patients currently under care. The medical center explained that it has thoroughly disinfected the internal facilities and is accelerating the resumption of outpatient and inpatient treatments, as well as community public healthcare services such as the Visiting Happiness Hospital, which had been suspended during the COVID-19 response.

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