Hwasun-gun, All-Out Effort to Block the Spread of COVID-19

[Hwasun=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Young-gyun] Jeollanam-do Hwasun-gun (Governor Gu Chung-gon) announced on the 22nd that it has launched a strong preemptive quarantine campaign for the year-end and New Year holidays to block the local spread of COVID-19, including the chain infection at A Nursing Hospital under cohort isolation and the rapid increase of asymptomatic confirmed cases.

At A Nursing Hospital, following the occurrence of 5 confirmed cases on the 20th, the 7th full inspection of 71 isolation subjects at A Nursing Hospital yesterday resulted in one inpatient being finally confirmed positive.

The confirmed patient residing in Gwangju was classified as Jeonnam No. 511 confirmed case and the 36th confirmed case in the Hwasun area, with no suspected COVID-19 symptoms before testing.

From the 12th until yesterday, 15 confirmed cases occurred at A Nursing Hospital. Four are medical staff such as nurses, and 11 are inpatients.

Earlier, since the 13th, the county has taken cohort isolation measures for three wards of A Nursing Hospital and has been making every effort to block additional infections by closely monitoring isolation subjects, managing medical staff movement, and dispersing high-density beds.

The usual full diagnostic test cycle (3 days) for cohort isolation facilities has been shortened, and full inspections are conducted once daily.

Also, up to yesterday, a total of 817 people have undergone full inspections over seven rounds.

The county analyzed the trend and pattern of confirmed cases at A Nursing Hospital through in-depth epidemiological investigations and responded promptly according to the situation. Nine medical personnel were supported, and discussions on medical support plans are underway with local medical institutions.

Preemptive quarantine measures have also been strengthened for hospitals, clinics, and social welfare facilities, which have a high risk of cluster infections.

Governor Gu announced in an appeal yesterday the year-end and New Year preemptive quarantine measures including ▲mandatory full inspections and shortened inspection cycles for local hospitals and clinics (medical staff, inpatients, caregivers) ▲strengthened quarantine management and supervision of hospitals and clinics ▲active full inspections of all residents ▲and quarantine administrative orders at the level of ‘cohort isolation’ for social welfare facilities.

The county’s move to conduct full inspections of hospitals, clinics, and all residents was based on the judgment that the proportion of asymptomatic confirmed cases is high, posing a very high risk of ‘silent transmission.’

In fact, among the 24 confirmed cases that occurred in Hwasun this month, 16 were asymptomatic, accounting for 67%. Among the 15 confirmed cases at A Nursing Hospital, 12 were asymptomatic (80%).

Governor Gu Chung-gon said, “We will actively promote full inspections of high-risk cluster infection facilities and all residents to detect ‘latent infections and asymptomatic confirmed cases’ as quickly as possible and break the chain of infection. We ask for your cooperation in canceling year-end and New Year gatherings, refraining from visiting other regions and outdoor activities, and always wearing masks anytime and anywhere.”

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