170 Confirmed Cases in Seoul by 5 PM... "We Will Do Our Best to Secure Hospital Beds"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Seoul approaches 400 per day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is taking measures to secure treatment facilities such as dedicated beds for severe patients and to install additional temporary screening clinics.

Seo Jeong-hyeop, Acting Mayor of Seoul, stated in his opening remarks at the 'COVID-19 Emergency Countermeasure Meeting' held at 5 p.m. on the 13th, "The COVID-19 situation has entered a crisis tunnel unlike anything we have experienced before," adding, "We are determined to prevent home quarantine treatment at all costs."

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Seoul from midnight to 5 p.m. on the same day was recorded at 170 over 17 hours.

Acting Mayor Seo explained, "Currently, 64 out of 68 dedicated beds for severe patients in Seoul are in use, leaving only 4 beds available for admission," and added, "We secured 11 additional severe patient beds last week and plan to secure 10 more next week."

However, regarding the elevation to social distancing level 3, Acting Mayor Seo took a reserved stance, stating, "Raising to level 3 is the last measure that requires stopping all daily activities and should be the final choice."

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