Additional 173-Bed Residential Treatment Center Opens in Gongju, Chungnam

Exterior view of the dormitory at the National Civil Defense Disaster Safety Training Center in Gongju, Chungnam, newly designated as a residential treatment center. Provided by Chungnam Province

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province announced on the 18th that it will additionally open a residential treatment center at the National Civil Defense Disaster Safety Training Center dormitory located in Gongju.

The total number of beds to be prepared at the training center is 173, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related beds in the Chungnam area to 331.

The additional opening of the residential treatment center was made to respond to the increasing number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the region. From the 11th to the 17th, an average of 62.5 new confirmed cases per day were reported in Chungnam, and the spread of the infectious disease continues mainly among confirmed patients' families and acquaintances.

On the other hand, the bed occupancy rate at the Central Fire Service School, currently operating as a residential treatment center, has risen to 70.3%, making it necessary to proactively prepare additional residential treatment centers, according to the province.

At the local residential treatment center, 44 personnel including medical staff such as doctors and nurses, administrative staff, military, and police are deployed. Gongju Medical Center has been designated as the cooperating hospital and is currently operating.

Lee Jeong-gu, Director of the Disaster Safety Office of the province, said, “We have additionally opened and are operating the residential treatment center to secure beds in advance in preparation for the increasing number of confirmed cases,” adding, “The province will do its best to respond to infectious diseases for the health and safety of the residents.”

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