Andong·Pohang Medical Center General Wards Converted to 'Dedicated Beds for Confirmed Cases'... Gyeongbuk Province Emergency Measures

Dedicated beds increased from 87 to 320, residential treatment centers expanded from 108 to 388 beds

The photo shows Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, delivering a greeting at the People Power Party and Gyeongbuk Province Budget Policy Meeting held at Daegu City Hall on November 2nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Jae-ho] Gyeongbuk Province announced on the 17th that it will increase the number of dedicated hospital beds for confirmed COVID-19 cases from the current 87 to 320, and the number of beds in residential treatment centers from 108 to 388, in response to the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 20th, Andong Medical Center will free up general hospital beds, and by the 25th, Pohang Medical Center will do the same, increasing the number of beds by 110 and 123 respectively. In addition to the 108 beds at the Korean Studies Advancement Center's Humanities and Spirit Training Institute, 280 beds will be added at Hyundai Motor Company's Talent Development Center for the residential treatment centers.

Furthermore, to facilitate rapid testing, three teams composed of infectious disease-related professors and Gyeongbuk Province officials will be formed to provide daily epidemiological investigations and consulting on infectious disease response in Pohang, Gyeongju, Gumi, and Andong.

Along with this, to scientificize infectious disease management, data analysis will be conducted by infection source, age group, and spread pattern, which will be used as basic data for establishing proactive response strategies.

Gyeongbuk Province will also hold COVID-19 response executive meetings and expert meetings every Friday chaired by Governor Lee Cheol-woo. Regarding the additional medical personnel requests for high-risk facilities such as nursing and mental health facilities raised in previous expert meetings, the Gyeongbuk Medical Association has secured about 120 medical volunteers.

Governor Lee Cheol-woo stated, "We will mobilize all means to secure hospital beds, prepare necessary medical personnel, and establish close cooperative relationships with cities and counties to prevent confirmed cases in group facilities and ensure rapid treatment of confirmed patients." He urged, "Please strictly adhere to quarantine rules such as banning gatherings and events at the end of the year, refraining from visiting other regions, and avoiding contact with people from other regions."

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