154 Additional ICU Beds by Year-End... Temporary Module Hospital Under Review (Update)

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 treatment beds for COVID-19. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Amid concerns that a large-scale shortage of hospital beds could occur due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in South Korea, the government announced that it will secure an additional 154 intensive care unit (ICU) beds by the end of the year.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, stated at a regular briefing on the 9th, "By converting nationally designated inpatient treatment beds, cooperating with private medical institutions, and actively supporting compensation for personnel and material losses, we plan to mobilize all national-level ICU treatment capabilities to expand a total of 154 ICU beds by the end of this month."

The government will convert as many nationally designated inpatient treatment beds as possible into 'dedicated severe patient treatment beds' capable of ICU care and will cooperate with tertiary general hospitals to secure additional beds. Yoon said, "We recently designated 24 beds as dedicated severe patient treatment beds," adding, "We plan to designate more beds going forward."

Measures for efficient bed management were also proposed. 'Semi-ICU' beds will be supported for patients whose condition temporarily improves or who are at high risk of worsening to severe status. Yoon explained, "This includes high-risk patients such as those with cardiopulmonary diseases, malignant tumors, chronic renal failure, pregnant women, and infants."

To prepare for emergencies, the government is also considering designating 'hub-type dedicated ICU hospitals.' This approach involves securing 10 to 20 ICU wards per institution in connection with regional national university hospitals or tertiary general hospitals. Additionally, the government is reviewing plans to establish 'modular hospitals'?temporary hospitals dedicated exclusively to treating COVID-19 ICU patients in specific areas?and dispatch personnel to these facilities.

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