Healthcare Workers Reporting Burnout... Reality of Medical Collapse in Nursing Hospitals

Omicron Spread Doubles Cluster Infections in Two Months
"Reached the Limit" Desperation... "Fourth Dose Vaccination Must Be Prioritized"

On the 22nd, when 99,573 new COVID-19 cases were reported, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza were waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] "The bed occupancy rate is virtually at full capacity, and the staff are exhausted. We are worried that we will soon hit the limit."

The rapid spread of the Omicron variant is directly impacting vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and care centers. As cluster infections surge, medical staff and workers at nursing hospitals are reporting burnout, raising concerns that the increase in critically ill patients could strain the entire healthcare system.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 22nd, COVID-19 indicators related to nursing hospitals and facilities are worsening. In the past four weeks, 209 nursing hospitals and facilities have experienced cluster infections, with 7,336 confirmed cases. Compared to December last year, when there were 60 clusters and 2,212 cases during the 'gradual daily recovery (With Corona)' phase, the numbers rose to 75 clusters and 3,151 cases last month as the Omicron variant spread. This month, as the outbreak intensified, the figures surged to 165 clusters and 5,330 cases. Cluster infections more than doubled in just two months.

Notably, among the 14 facilities with cluster infections exceeding 100 confirmed cases recently, half (7) were nursing hospitals. In Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, two nursing hospitals reported 285 confirmed cases alone, while nursing hospitals in Naju and Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, reported 133 and 132 cases respectively. Additionally, a nursing hospital in Daegu had 144 cases, and one in Busan had 163 COVID-19 positive cases. During the past week (13th?19th), cluster infections occurred in 31 locations, with 7 in the metropolitan area and 24 outside, showing no regional bias. Proactive testing of staff and patients also revealed a sharp increase in positive cases, from 221 (positivity rate 0.06%) in the first week of this month to 1,037 (positivity rate 0.177%) in the second week.

Voices from nursing hospitals on the ground express that they have already reached their limits. As more medical staff and workers become infected, their capacity to care for patients has deteriorated. A representative from nursing hospital A in Gyeonggi-do said, "The bed occupancy rate is practically 100%. Because so many confirmed cases are emerging, this period is even more difficult than during With Corona. Everyone working here is exhausted." Many patients are elderly and have poor prognoses, frequently worsening to critical conditions. A representative from nursing hospital B said, "Many patients have underlying diseases and are elderly, so they are often transferred to higher-level hospitals with intensive care beds. Although there is still some availability in intensive care beds, it is hard to guarantee this will continue if the situation persists."

Experts emphasize that the fourth dose of vaccination must be promptly administered to vulnerable facilities. Professor Lee Jae-gap of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital stated, "Nursing hospitals and facilities suffer the most damage when outbreaks grow, and places experiencing cluster infections two to three times recently are increasing. If we do not encourage the fourth dose and expedite facility improvements, large-scale chaos could occur in March and April." He added, "Nursing hospitals and facilities are not yet in a position to manage professionally, so education is important. Seoul City is conducting online infection control lectures for nursing hospitals, and such efforts should be extended nationwide."

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