Gyeonggi-do Launches 'Hospital Transfer System' for Severe COVID-19 Patients

Im Seung-gwan, Co-Head of the Gyeonggi-do COVID-19 Emergency Response Team, is giving a briefing.

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is establishing a 'severe patient transfer system' between hospitals in preparation for an increase in severe COVID-19 cases.

Im Seung-kwan, co-head of Gyeonggi Province's COVID-19 Emergency Response Team, said at a regular briefing on the 20th, "On the 19th, on-site simulation training was conducted at Anseong Hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, and Bundang Fire Station," adding, "This is to enhance the crisis management capabilities in emergencies by strengthening close cooperative response systems among government, hospitals, and fire departments in the event of severe COVID-19 cases."

Participants in the training included provincial officials, Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters, Bundang Fire Station, Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Anseong Hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Gyeonggi Public Health Medical Support Group, as well as private researchers and advisory committee members.

The training was conducted under the assumption that a confirmed severe COVID-19 patient at Anseong Medical Center in Gyeonggi, who required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, needed to be transferred to a tertiary hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital.

The entire process, including the scene inside the negative pressure ambulance and the transfer route, was checked through real-time video, followed by analysis and exchange of opinions.

Based on the results of the conducted training, the province plans to prepare and recommend a standard operating guideline for transferring severe COVID-19 patients via negative pressure ambulances next month.

As of 0:00 on the 20th, the number of confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province increased by 93 from 0:00 the previous day to 2,220.

Including Yeoncheon County, where new cases occurred, the numbers are 234 in Yongin, 232 in Seongnam, and 197 in Bucheon, in that order. Cases have been reported across all 31 cities and counties in the province.

Among the confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province, 1,527 have been discharged, and currently, 661 are isolated in hospitals and residential treatment centers.

As of 0:00 on the day, Gyeonggi Province has secured 583 treatment beds for confirmed patients in a total of 14 hospitals. Currently, 499 beds, or 85.6%, are in use.

As of 0:00 on the day, the newly confirmed cases in the province include 24 from Seongbuk-gu Sarang Jeil Church, 7 from Paju Starbucks, 1 from Gangnam Gold Train, 4 from Yongin Uri Jeil Church, 5 from a snack bar in Anyang City, 48 from community transmission, and 4 from overseas arrivals, totaling 93 cases.

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