"Nationwide Expansion of Preemptive Testing in Infection-Vulnerable Facilities"…Meeting Between Assemblyman Heo Jong-sik and Director Jeong Eun-gyeong

Discussion on Precision Quarantine for Vulnerable Groups and Securing Key Infrastructure by Region

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Heo Jong-sik and Jeong Eun-kyeong, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, held a meeting on the 13th to discuss focused management of infection-vulnerable facilities and the regional expansion of specialized infectious disease hospitals.
[Photo by Heo Jong-sik’s office]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] As the daily confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have exceeded 200 for two consecutive days, raising concerns about a resurgence, preemptive testing for infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals is expected to be expanded nationwide.

Democratic Party lawmaker Heo Jongsik (Incheon Dong-gu Michuhol-gu Gap) stated during a meeting with Jeong Eun-kyeong, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), held at his office on the 13th, that they confirmed the purpose of revising social distancing levels and the trend of increasing sporadic outbreaks, and expressed a commitment to do their best to secure the necessary quarantine budget for COVID-19 response.

In particular, Lawmaker Heo emphasized the importance of both short- and long-term tasks such as precision quarantine for vulnerable groups and securing core infrastructure by region, highlighting the need to strengthen quarantine capabilities.

Lawmaker Heo said, "In a situation where the prolongation of COVID-19 is inevitable, a strategy is needed to suppress the scale of patients to a manageable level within the quarantine and medical system," adding, "Especially, focused management of infection-vulnerable facilities is necessary to protect high-risk groups with high fatality rates."

In response, Commissioner Jeong said, "In cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and local governments, we will expand preemptive testing for infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals nationwide, conduct it regularly, and strengthen education on compliance with quarantine rules and on-site inspections."

Lawmaker Heo agreed with the KDCA's intention to expand testing for early detection of asymptomatic infected individuals and requested that the central government carefully oversee so that local governments and citizens can proactively prevent and prepare.

On the same day, Lawmaker Heo and Commissioner Jeong also exchanged opinions on the long-term perspective of infectious disease response, including infectious disease research, expert training, and the regional expansion of core infrastructure such as 'infectious disease specialized hospitals' for patient care and treatment.

Lawmaker Heo emphasized, "Incheon, which has airports and ports, is a gateway for infectious disease inflow, so an infectious disease specialized hospital must be established promptly."

In response, Commissioner Jeong stated, "Considering the COVID-19 medical response system, we plan to prepare a regional infectious disease specialized hospital promotion plan through expert consultation."

Meanwhile, Commissioner Jeong also expressed gratitude to Park Namchun, Mayor of Incheon, saying, "In a situation where 20-30% of confirmed cases this year were imported from overseas, Incheon City has provided significant assistance."

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