"Responding to 7,000 Daily Confirmed Cases by Securing Hospital Beds... Capable of Handling 10,000 Cases (Update)"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government is taking proactive measures to secure dedicated COVID-19 treatment beds in medical institutions in the Seoul metropolitan area to respond to the sharp increase in confirmed cases following the implementation of the 'gradual recovery of daily life.'

At the regular briefing on the 5th, Lee Gi-il, the 1st Controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, announced, "We will additionally secure 402 beds for moderately severe patients and 692 dedicated beds for moderate patients at tertiary general hospitals in the metropolitan area."

The controller emphasized, "This bed securing is a preemptive measure to prepare for a future surge in confirmed cases. With the secured beds, we can respond even if 7,000 confirmed cases occur daily, and if necessary, we can handle up to 10,000 patients per day."

Accordingly, starting today, through administrative orders, 402 additional moderately severe treatment beds (1.5% of licensed beds) will be secured at 22 tertiary general hospitals in the metropolitan area. Moderately severe beds are for treating patients who have improved from critical condition or those at high risk of worsening to severe condition, allowing for intensive monitoring. Securing these beds enables bed conversion within the same hospital in connection with severe beds, depending on the patient's condition, which is expected to facilitate efficient bed management and continuity of care.

Additionally, considering trends in confirmed cases and bed occupancy rates, a preliminary administrative order will be implemented to secure additional dedicated intensive care treatment beds (estimated 254 beds) at tertiary general hospitals to ensure timely medical response through smooth implementation if necessary.

Dedicated treatment beds for moderate patients will be additionally secured, totaling 692 beds, which is 5% of licensed beds, targeting 61 general hospitals and hospitals with 200 to 299 beds in the metropolitan area that are not currently operating COVID-19 treatment beds.

The controller stated, "Once all targeted beds are expanded, the number of dedicated intensive care treatment beds will increase to 1,365, moderately severe patient beds to 857, and infectious disease dedicated beds to 11,878. This level allows us to respond even if 7,000 confirmed cases occur daily, and if necessary, to handle up to 10,000 patients per day."

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