Fourth Wave Continues, Ongoing Concerns Over Hospital Bed Shortage... Regional Disparities Increase ↑

On the 29th, as the fourth wave continues with 1,619 new COVID-19 cases reported, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza are waiting to get tested. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] As the fourth wave of COVID-19 continues with daily four-digit confirmed cases, concerns over hospital bed shortages persist. The government is continuously expanding dedicated beds for severe patients, semi-severe patient beds, and beds in residential treatment centers.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 29th, as of 5 p.m. the previous day, out of a total of 919 dedicated beds for severe COVID-19 patients nationwide, 362 beds (39.4%) were available.

However, some regions have been analyzed to have almost no bed capacity left. Daejeon has only 1 available bed out of 14, and Chungnam and Gyeongbuk have only 2 usable beds each.

Nationwide, there are 438 semi-severe patient beds (for patients whose condition has improved from severe or who have a high possibility of worsening), of which 164 beds (37.4%) remain available. Semi-severe patient beds have also reached their limits in some areas. Incheon and Gyeongbuk have all their secured beds fully occupied, leaving no beds available for immediate admission, while Jeju has 2 beds left.

There are currently 89 residential treatment centers nationwide where mild or asymptomatic confirmed patients undergo isolation. As of midnight on the day, the bed occupancy rate was recorded at 52.9%. Out of a capacity of 20,219 people, 10,704 have been admitted, and 9,515 more can be admitted.

The bed occupancy rate of residential treatment centers in the Seoul metropolitan area is 60.9%, with 5,106 additional admissions possible. The occupancy rate in non-metropolitan areas is 38.4%, allowing for 4,409 more admissions. However, by region, the occupancy rates of the Gangwon center and Gwangju center are relatively high at 84.8% and 77.3%, respectively. The Daejeon center (occupancy rate 32.2%) and Jeonnam center (25.9%) still have bed availability.

There are a total of 9,131 beds in infectious disease dedicated hospitals, of which 2,512 are available. Sejong has 20 available beds out of 51, and Daejeon has 39 usable beds out of 174.

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