Confirmed cases near 700... Seoul hospital bed capacity nearing limit

684 New Confirmed Cases, Highest Since February
Most Tertiary Hospitals Uncooperative

On the 9th, citizens are waiting for COVID-19 testing at the screening clinic for the novel coronavirus infection set up at Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the same day, 686 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed domestically, bringing the total to 39,432. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 9th, the newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were counted at 684. This is the highest number since late February (909 cases), which was the peak daily new cases during the first wave in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas. The spread shows no signs of slowing down, with over 500 new confirmed cases reported in the metropolitan area alone. The burden on the healthcare system has also increased significantly, with the number of critically ill patients rising by double digits on average each day.

Four days out of the last seven with over 600 new cases
536 cases in the metropolitan area alone... nearly 80%

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters' data as of midnight on this day, 662 cases are estimated to be domestic infections, and 24 cases are imported. Over the past week, there have been more than 600 new cases on four days, exceeding half of the week.

By region, Seoul reported 270 cases (including 6 imported cases, same below), Gyeonggi 218, and Incheon 48, totaling 536 cases in the metropolitan area alone. This accounts for nearly 80% of all new cases. Double-digit new cases were also reported in Busan, Daejeon, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongnam, with all metropolitan municipalities nationwide recording cases.

Since last month, new cases have increased, leading to the raising of social distancing levels and strengthening of quarantine rules, but these measures have not produced significant effects. In Seoul, new cluster infections continue to occur steadily in places such as hold'em pubs and markets, and many patients have been reported in nursing hospitals and day care centers where vulnerable groups are concentrated. Large and small cluster outbreaks have also emerged in facilities where many people gather for extended periods, such as workplaces and village halls.

On the 9th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection continues, a 'container temporary bed' is being installed at Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul to secure COVID-19 treatment beds. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Critically ill patients increase by more than 10 daily on average
ICU beds exhausted... additional securing is tight

Currently, 149 patients are hospitalized in critical condition, an increase of 15 from the previous day. Compared to a week ago, this is an increase of nearly 50 patients. Considering the 30 deaths during this period, more than 10 severe patients are increasing daily. Given that symptoms typically worsen about five days to a week after confirmation, the rate of increase in critically ill patients is expected to accelerate further.

Medical resources such as beds have already reached their limits. According to the bed status compiled by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (as of the 8th), only 12 out of 330 beds reserved for general severe patients in the metropolitan area are immediately available for admission. In Busan-Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, and Daejeon-Chungnam, there have been no beds available for immediate ICU admission for several days. Since many public medical institutions such as provincial medical centers are already occupied, the government is requesting cooperation mainly from large medical institutions equipped with beds and medical staff like tertiary hospitals, but responses have been limited or minimal.

The government has also designated nationally designated inpatient treatment beds as dedicated COVID-19 ICU beds and is working to secure additional beds. However, some civic groups and parts of the medical community emphasize the need for more proactive measures such as emergency mobilization. The Health Rights Realization Health and Medical Organizations Federation stated, "So-called 'Big 5' private hospitals must actively participate in COVID-19 treatment response and fulfill their social responsibility," and urged, "An emergency bed mobilization order appropriate for the emergency situation should be issued."

On the 9th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection continues, a 'container temporary bed' is being installed at Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul to secure COVID-19 treatment beds. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

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