Due to a Surge in Confirmed Cases, Only 3 ICU Beds Available in the Seoul Metropolitan Area... Seoul Has '0' Beds Available

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] As the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) increases by 1,000 daily, hospital beds are rapidly being depleted.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 20th, as of the previous day, only 38 out of 575 severe patient treatment beds nationwide are available for critically ill COVID-19 patients who need immediate hospitalization. This accounts for only 6.6%. The number decreased by 10 beds in one day from 48 on the 18th.

In the metropolitan area, available severe patient treatment beds as of the previous day are limited to 3: 2 in Gyeonggi and 1 in Incheon. In particular, Seoul has run out of both dedicated severe patient treatment beds and general intensive care beds.

Concerns are rising in non-metropolitan areas. Daejeon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk currently have no available beds at all. Other regions such as Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju have some beds remaining, but the single-digit numbers are insufficient to handle the rapidly increasing number of patients.

There are 13 treatment beds left for 'semi-critical patients' whose condition has improved from severe or who may worsen to severe. Although 95 beds have been secured nationwide, 82 are already in use.

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