Son Young-rae "Increase in Critical Patients and Deaths Inevitable... Medical System Still Stable"

Average Daily Severe and Critical Patients Last Week
12.2% Increase Compared to Previous Week
Deaths Also Continue to Rise... Cumulative Total Exceeds 3,000

57% ICU Bed Capacity Available
"No Major Issues Based on Capital Region Standards"

Son Young-rae, Head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the quarantine easing measures following the 'gradual return to daily life (With Corona)' are implemented, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, as well as critically ill patients and deaths, are rapidly increasing. However, health authorities explained that the surge in critically ill patients and deaths in the early stages of returning to normal life is inevitable, and the medical system is still responding stably.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated in an interview on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the morning of the 10th, "It is inevitable that critically ill patients and deaths increase in proportion to the scale of confirmed cases during the early phase of returning to normal life," adding, "So far, the medical system is maintaining a stable response."

Since the quarantine easing measures under With Corona were implemented on the 1st, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has surged, and the number of critically ill patients and deaths is also rapidly increasing. The average daily number of critically ill patients last week (November 1?6) was 376, a 12.2% increase compared to the previous week (October 25?31), which was 335. Son warned, "If we observe for a few days, the number is entering the 400s." Deaths have also continued with double-digit daily fatalities for eight consecutive days from the 1st (based on date of death) to the 8th since With Corona began, surpassing a cumulative total of 3,000.

Regarding this, Son explained, "The severity rate or fatality rate itself is not increasing," and added, "It appears to be increasing in proportion because the number of confirmed cases and the overall population base are increasing."

As of 5 p.m. the previous day, out of 1,121 dedicated beds for critically ill patients nationwide, about 480 beds were available, with the bed occupancy rate rising to 57.2%. Authorities believe there is still sufficient capacity for bed utilization. Son said, "There are regional differences, but the metropolitan area has the most beds and the patient cases are also concentrated in the metropolitan area," adding, "From the metropolitan area perspective, there is no major problem."

Son stated, "It will be important to see whether the numbers will continue to increase further, but for now, an increase up to a certain point is inevitable." He explained, "Since this is a period when previously suppressed social activities are increasing, an increase in the scale of confirmed cases is inevitable," adding, "However, how steep the increase will be is important, and currently, the number of confirmed and critically ill patients is increasing by about 10?20% relative to total confirmed cases. It is also important to see whether this growth rate will be maintained through this week and next week."

On the 9th, medical staff are collecting samples at a temporary COVID-19 screening site set up at Cheongnyangni Station Plaza in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the medical union, composed of large hospital unions, announcing a general strike starting on the 11th, Son explained, "We are in good consultation with the largest union, the Health and Medical Workers' Union, continuously discussing the expansion of nursing staff and compensation issues," adding, "The medical union, which consists of some university hospitals, is raising the same issues, and we are continuing discussions." About the atmosphere of the negotiations, he added, "We are generally agreeing and discussing the consultation process that was previously agreed upon with the Health and Medical Workers' Union," and "We are trying to avoid simultaneous collective strikes and are discussing ways to cooperate."

Regarding the expansion of medical personnel agreed upon with the Health and Medical Workers' Union, Son said, "We are currently creating a standard model for nurses working on the front lines, setting minimum standards for how many nurses per number of COVID-19 patients should be secured during treatment, and we are continuing to negotiate on adhering to this," adding, "From a mid- to long-term perspective, expanding medical personnel involves various stakeholders and social issues such as expanding medical schools have been raised, so this will be discussed over the mid to long term."

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