An 80-Year-Old Internal Medicine Doctor Infected While Treating COVID-19 Patients Passes Away

Second Among Domestic Medical Staff

On the 19th, medical staff are preparing for tests at a temporary screening clinic for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) set up at Seoul Station Plaza. The 20th marks exactly one year since the first confirmed COVID-19 case in the country. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] An octogenarian internal medicine doctor who was infected while treating patients with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has passed away.

The Korea Medical Association (KMA) announced on the 27th, "Member Jang Cheong-sun (87 years old), who was infected while treating COVID-19 patients, died on the 24th," adding, "We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the belated news."

Jang graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine in 1960 and opened his clinic in 1965, practicing for 56 years in the Seongnam area of Gyeonggi Province and other regions. Recently, despite his advanced age, he continued to treat COVID-19 patients and was infected after treating a patient who visited without knowing they were COVID-19 positive. He died while receiving inpatient treatment.

This is the second death of a medical professional in South Korea due to COVID-19. Previously, in April last year, a doctor in Daegu also died after being infected following contact with a confirmed patient.

The KMA added, "Please remember that there are healthcare workers across the country risking their lives and safety while battling COVID-19 on the front lines."

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