[Exclusive] Rapid Increase in Confirmed Cases in Busan, 39 ICU Beds Available... Stable Bed Supply

Busan-Origin Regional Infection Spread Continues
ICU Bed Supply Stable
No Bed Shortage in 5 Major Metropolitan Cities
Impact of Increased Beds Since 3rd Wave

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] As COVID-19 infections originating outside the metropolitan area are increasing, centered around Busan, the availability of dedicated treatment beds for severe patients in the five major metropolitan cities (Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, Ulsan, Busan) has been found to be stable.

This is due to improvements in bed supply compared to the end of last year, when concerns about a 'bed crisis' arose due to full occupancy of severe patient treatment beds.

According to the 'Status of Securing and Using Dedicated Treatment Beds for Severe Patients by City/Province (as of March 25)' obtained by People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Chang-hyun through the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 2nd, the five major metropolitan cities have secured a total of 143 dedicated treatment beds for severe patients. Among these, 13 beds are currently occupied, and 130 beds are available. The overall bed availability rate in the five major metropolitan cities is 9%, a single-digit figure.

Looking at the regions, Busan, which has reported more than 40 confirmed cases for five consecutive days recently, has a total of 47 dedicated treatment beds for severe patients. Of these, 8 beds are occupied, and 39 beds remain available, resulting in a bed availability rate of 17%. In Busan, due to a sharp increase in confirmed cases from a chain infection in entertainment establishments, the social distancing level was raised from 1.5 to 2 starting today.

(Source: Yoon Chang-hyun, People Power Party member)

Daegu has 44 dedicated treatment beds for severe patients (3 occupied beds, 31 available beds), with a bed availability rate of 6.8%. Gwangju and Daejeon have 22 and 14 dedicated treatment beds respectively, but no severe patients are currently hospitalized, resulting in a bed availability rate of 0%. Ulsan has 16 dedicated treatment beds for severe patients (2 occupied beds, 14 available beds), with a bed availability rate of 12.5%.

The stable bed availability rate around 10% for severe patients is largely due to the increase in treatment beds following the 'third wave' at the end of last year. In fact, as recently as November, the number of available treatment beds in the Gyeonggi region had decreased to single digits, and in Incheon, it dropped to zero, raising serious concerns about a 'bed crisis.' Accordingly, Busan, which faced severe bed saturation issues, increased its dedicated treatment beds for severe patients from 18 (as of December) to 47 as of March, more than doubling the capacity. Daejeon also increased its beds from 8 to 14 during the same period.

The importance of securing dedicated treatment beds for severe patients lies in the fact that if bed supply does not keep pace with the increase in confirmed cases, as seen during the third wave, it can lead to 'healthcare system overload.' This is especially critical when cluster infections occur in facilities used by the elderly, as the consumption rate of severe patient beds accelerates rapidly.

Incheon Medical Center operating dedicated beds for infectious diseases
Photo by Incheon City

People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Chang-hyun said, "Securing sufficient treatment beds, along with deploying medical staff and securing vaccines, is a core role of the government in responding to COVID-19." He added, "It is fortunate that the dedicated treatment beds for severe patients, which once dropped to zero, have now been relieved, but considering the increased mobility in spring, we must not let our guard down."

A representative from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated in data sent to Yoon's office, "We will review the scale of beds considering future patient trends and bed utilization rates."

Meanwhile, COVID-19 patient beds are broadly classified into four types: residential treatment centers, infectious disease dedicated hospitals, semi-critical and critical care beds, and dedicated severe patient beds. Residential treatment centers are for asymptomatic or mild patients; infectious disease dedicated hospitals are for 'moderate' patients who require oxygen therapy but are not 'severe'; semi-critical and critical care beds accommodate patients who have recovered from critical conditions but still require observation. Dedicated treatment beds for severe patients are, as the name suggests, for patients in critical condition receiving treatment.

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