Multiple Confirmed Cases at Seoul Hanyang University Hospital... Cohort Isolation Under Discussion

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] A large number of COVID-19 cases have been confirmed at Hanyang University Hospital in Seoul.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 29th, a new cluster infection has occurred related to this hospital, and so far 23 people have tested positive. Among them, there is 1 doctor, 1 nurse, 11 caregivers, and 10 patients.

Hanyang University Hospital announced that following a COVID-19 positive diagnosis of a patient's guardian the previous day, they are conducting mass testing of all employees, patients, and guardians.

The hospital has about 2,000 employees and approximately 800 beds. A hospital official stated, "We are conducting mass testing of about 2,000 employees as well as patients and guardians, but the exact number of people tested is being confirmed."

The number of patients may increase depending on the diagnostic test results. The 15th floor of the hospital where the confirmed cases were found is currently closed. The quarantine authorities and Seoul city officials are currently discussing whether to cohort isolate this hospital.

The CDCH is conducting an epidemiological investigation into the infection routes and plans to announce the first investigation results on the 30th.

This is not the first time confirmed cases have appeared at Hanyang University Hospital. On August 25 last year, one staff member at the hospital's artificial kidney center tested positive, leading to the closure of the center, and three days later on the 28th, one more staff member under surveillance was additionally confirmed positive.

Since large hospitals are mainly used by elderly people or patients, if cluster infections occur, the scale of damage can be significant. Also, if medical staff test positive, it can disrupt medical services.

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