Gwangju City Designates and Operates Dedicated Medical Center for Pediatric Confirmed Cases

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Metropolitan City has introduced customized measures suitable for the current COVID-19 situation, including designating a dedicated medical center for pediatric confirmed cases.

On the 28th, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop held a non-face-to-face briefing and announced the designation and operation of an outpatient clinic dedicated to pediatric confirmed cases.

Accordingly, pediatric confirmed cases undergoing home treatment who require face-to-face medical care due to symptom onset will be able to receive outpatient treatment at ‘Gwangsan Suwan Mirae Children's Hospital’ starting early March (scheduled for the 7th).

Hospitals offering 24-hour telephone consultation, non-face-to-face treatment, and prescription services for pediatric confirmed cases include ▲Seo-gu Woori Children's Hospital ▲Gwangsan Hana Children's Hospital ▲Buk-gu Mirae Children's Hospital.

Severe pediatric patients are treated exclusively at Chonnam National University Hospital, and for other pediatric confirmed cases requiring hospitalization, priority pediatric beds have been secured and are operated at Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju Christian Hospital, and Bitgoeul Chonnam National University Hospital.

Additionally, to prepare for emergencies involving pregnant confirmed patients, one more delivery operating room will be added at Chonnam National University Hospital, and a dedicated obstetrics and gynecology examination room will be installed.

Even if patients are undergoing home treatment or hospitalized at other hospitals, in case of emergencies such as delivery, they will be immediately transferred to Chonnam National University Hospital to receive priority care.

For pregnant women who have passed 7 days since COVID-19 confirmation, measures will be taken to prevent unfair practices such as refusal of treatment at general hospitals including obstetrics and gynecology, with frequent on-site inspections and crackdowns planned.

Furthermore, Dongseo Hanaro Hospital has been designated as a dialysis-dedicated hospital to support specialized treatment for confirmed patients requiring hemodialysis.

The number of outpatient clinics for face-to-face treatment of general home treatment patients will be expanded from the current two (Cheomdan Medicare Clinic, Gwangju Christian Hospital) to three (with Donglim Hospital to be added) and operated accordingly.

When transporting patients to hospitals, not only 119 and public health center ambulances but also private transport vehicles and quarantine taxis will be actively utilized.

To alleviate the shortage of dedicated personnel experienced by each district office due to the surge in confirmed cases, 57 government-dispatched public officials have been distributed to quarantine and home treatment sites in five district offices. The city plans to continue improving work methods with the government so that each public health center can focus its capabilities on essential quarantine tasks.

With the full reopening of kindergartens and elementary, middle, and high schools scheduled for early next month, a close quarantine cooperation system is being maintained with the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education to ensure that our students are not exposed to COVID-19 risks. Thorough quarantine systems are being established, including securing self-diagnosis kits and providing safe meals, to make full preparations.

Mayor Lee said, “Please become quarantine commanders who protect the safety of individuals and families by maintaining vigilance without excessive anxiety,” and added, “I would like to once again express my deep gratitude to the hospitals and related personnel who are leading the diagnosis and treatment of confirmed patients despite difficult conditions.”

Meanwhile, in the Gwangju area, daily confirmed cases have remained in the 4,000 range for six consecutive days due to the spread of Omicron.

The number of confirmed cases this month, as of 0:00 this day, is 62,727 (80% of the total cumulative confirmed cases of 78,235).

Currently, there are 9 critically ill patients managed by Gwangju City. Although the number of confirmed cases is rapidly increasing, the severity rate and risk of death are reported to be very low.

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