[Medical Staff's Chuseok] Both Parents' Homes Say "Don't Come" as Volunteers for Chuseok Duty Increase

COVID-19 Frontline Medical Staff "Chuseok Feels Like Someone Else's Holiday... More Worried About Infection Spread During Chuseok"

On the 9th, medical staff are entering the emergency medical center at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jeong and Cho Hyun-ui] "I asked for understanding from both sets of parents that I won't be able to visit them this Chuseok. Since this is something that someone must do, my parents understood."

For medical staff battling the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Chuseok is someone else's concern. This is because they must continue fighting a war without a ceasefire even during the Chuseok holiday. Although the five-day Chuseok holiday begins on the 30th, medical staff at tertiary hospitals, screening clinics, and public health centers will work as usual.

"Three shifts as usual during the Chuseok holiday"

On the 23rd, Lee Eun-jun, head nurse of the COVID-19 severe patient treatment ward (DICU) at Seoul National University Hospital, said, "Patients admitted to the intensive care unit need medical staff's help even for basic things like washing their face," adding, "Since emergencies can occur during the Chuseok holiday, we work in three shifts as usual." The DICU at Seoul National University Hospital mainly treats severe patients who are in critical condition or whose condition has worsened and require intensive care.

Recently, as the proportion of high-risk elderly confirmed cases has increased, the number of transfers from other hospitals to this ward has also risen. Lee said, "Most patients admitted to the DICU are elderly in their 70s and 80s, so we pay extra attention," emphasizing, "There are many treatments requiring caution, such as inserting ventilators or central venous catheters and changing patient positions, which is physically demanding, but we do our best with the belief in treating patients."

The DICU staffed 100% of its Chuseok holiday workforce through volunteers this year. As people refrained from returning home due to COVID-19, the number of volunteers willing to work during Chuseok increased. Another nurse, Kim, said, "Both my parents and in-laws strongly told me not to come, so I don't feel psychological burden," but added, "I'm more worried that infections might spread during the Chuseok holiday."

The situation is similar at other tertiary hospitals. Since COVID-19 patients' conditions can deteriorate rapidly and require regular medication, medical staff cannot let their guard down. A representative from Sinchon Severance Hospital explained, "The COVID-19 inpatient ward operates as usual, contacting professors urgently if there are critical patients, and the operation is almost the same as on weekends." A representative from Asan Medical Center in Seoul also said, "The emergency room, COVID-19 inpatient treatment, and COVID-19 testing will operate normally." Although shift schedules vary by department, treatment of confirmed cases continues regardless of holidays or weekends.

On the 8th, citizens are receiving diagnostic tests at the screening clinic of Eunpyeong-gu Public Health Center in Seoul, where a small-scale cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was reported to have occurred at a cathedral. Seoul City announced on the same day that four people were confirmed positive in connection with Susaek Cathedral in Eunpyeong-gu. At this cathedral, one parishioner was first confirmed positive on the 6th, followed by three additional parishioners and acquaintances testing positive on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Medical staff appeal "Some protective equipment is insufficient"

Public health centers and screening clinics conducting diagnostic tests also have tight schedules that make Chuseok seem meaningless. A representative from Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul said, "Since this is a COVID-19 emergency situation, there is no separate schedule for the holiday," adding, "We proceed with the usual shift schedule." A representative from Seodaemun-gu Public Health Center explained, "During the Chuseok holiday, operations will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the same as weekend hours," and "Since the screening clinic operates, medical staff work according to the set schedule."

However, frontline hospitals have appealed for smoother supply of protective equipment for medical staff. Due to the nature of having to care for COVID-19 patients for long hours, powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) hoods, goggles, gloves, and other items are essential, but supply is insufficient compared to demand. A nurse at a tertiary hospital said, "When wearing protective suits, we get soaked with sweat, but attaching a PAPR provides airflow, making it easier to breathe," adding, "Increasing PAPR supply would be a great help in caring for patients for long hours during the Chuseok holiday."

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