Governor Lee Cheol-woo's Appeal "Please Stay Indoors" ... Gyeongbuk Province Secures 123 Additional Hospital Beds

An Average of 32 Daily Confirmed Cases in Gyeongbuk Region... "Even During the Joseon Dynasty, Epidemic Situations Led to Suspension of Rituals and Ceremonies"

On the 23rd, Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, is seen delivering an appeal.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, issued an appeal to residents to 'stay indoors' during the year-end and New Year period ahead of the nationwide special quarantine measures taking effect from midnight on the 24th.

In his appeal on the 23rd, Governor Lee expressed concern, stating, "This third large-scale outbreak began as sporadic local infections due to contact with confirmed cases in the metropolitan area, but it is estimated that the virus has spread widely within our region to the extent that 27% of confirmed cases have unknown infection routes." He added, "In Gyeongbuk, an average of 32 confirmed cases per day have been occurring over the past week."

He continued, "Since a few days ago, the situation has worsened with cluster infections in religious facilities," and explained, "Currently, we are conducting an average of 1,700 specimen tests daily to focus on early detection of confirmed cases, which is more than twice the 730 tests conducted daily during the first large-scale outbreak."

Governor Lee also mentioned securing hospital beds and residential treatment centers. Of the 197 beds dedicated to infectious diseases, 136 are occupied, leaving only 61 beds available. Accordingly, he plans to secure an additional 123 beds by the end of the year.

Regarding residential treatment centers, he stated, "Out of a total of 388 rooms at the Humanities and Spiritual Training Center (Andong) and Hyundai Motor Talent Development Center (Gyeongju), 259 rooms are currently in use and 129 rooms are prepared," adding, "Separately, we are preparing to open additional residential treatment centers independently."

Governor Lee introduced, "Looking at the Chogan Diary, Gyeam Diary, Cheongdae Diary, and Hawa Diary left by our ancestors in this region, there are records that even rituals and ancestral rites were suspended during epidemic situations in the Joseon Dynasty," and appealed, "Let us engrave in our hearts the wisdom of our ancestors that nothing can take precedence over precious life, and overcome this crisis with the spirit of sacrifice that helped us overcome the initial large-scale outbreak."

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