Only One Week of ICU Beds Left... Doubts Over Securing Medical Staff

85 Available Beds Out of 339 Total Hospital Beds

On the 18th, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection related to Sarang Jeil Church increases, citizens are lining up to get tested at a temporary COVID-19 screening clinic set up at the Seongbuk-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the COVID-19 crisis originating from Sarang Jeil Church escalates into a potential second wave, concerns are rising that the medical system is reaching a critical threshold. With 297 confirmed cases reported on the 19th and a sharp increase in cases over the past week, there is a growing possibility of a shortage of hospital beds soon. The medical community points out that, along with the shortage of beds, there is also a shortage of medical staff and accumulated fatigue, necessitating extraordinary measures.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the same day, as of 8 p.m. on the 17th, out of 339 intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the metropolitan area, 85 beds are available. Kim Kang-rip, the first chief coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated the previous day, "More than 50% of ICU beds are already in use, and the remaining number of beds is small," adding, "There is at least about a week's worth of capacity left."

The government plans to expand ICU beds by equipping general beds with intensive care equipment. However, due to difficulties in negotiations with the medical community over expanding medical school quotas, the number of beds that can be secured remains uncertain. Kim, the first chief coordinator, explained, "It is a situation where we cannot specify an exact number," adding, "We need to consider negotiations with hospitals and the feasibility of deploying additional equipment."

There is also doubt about whether medical personnel can be secured, not just ICU beds. In particular, residents opposing the government's medical policies, including the expansion of medical school quotas, are set to begin an indefinite strike from the 21st, and the Korean Medical Association has announced a three-day general strike starting on the 26th. An emergency meeting between the Minister of Health and Welfare and the president of the Korean Medical Association is scheduled for the afternoon of the same day, but it is uncertain whether consensus will be reached. Kim Dae-ha, spokesperson for the Korean Medical Association, emphasized, "Let's meet with an open mind instead of insisting that the policy implementation (such as expanding medical school quotas) is inevitable," but also stressed, "We are thoroughly preparing for the planned collective actions."

The prolonged COVID-19 crisis has also led to high fatigue levels among medical staff. More than seven out of ten medical workers reported experiencing outbursts of frustration during work, indicating high-intensity workloads. According to a joint survey conducted by Professor Yoo Myeong-soon’s team at Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health and the Gyeonggi-do Public Health Medical Support Group targeting nurses and public health officials involved in COVID-19 treatment and prevention, 33.8% of medical personnel experienced "emotional exhaustion," and 69.7% reported having outbursts of frustration during work.

Experts unanimously agree that efforts to secure ICU beds must be accelerated. Professor Ki Moran of the National Cancer Center Graduate School of International Cancer Studies said in a media interview, "High-risk groups aged 60 and above experience worsening symptoms about a week after diagnosis," adding, "Although the quarantine authorities have ordered private university hospitals to secure two ICU rooms each, more are needed." Professor Eom Jung-sik of Gachon University Gil Medical Center’s Infectious Diseases Department also said, "Confirmed cases are increasing mainly in metropolitan area churches, so there is a high possibility of an increase in elderly patients attending church," and emphasized, "A more thorough long-term plan for securing beds must be established."

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