COVID-19 Not Over Yet... Yongsan-gu Mobile Infectious Disease Education

Yongsan-gu Conducts Infectious Disease Prevention Education at Vulnerable Facilities

Since April, Conducting Infectious Disease Prevention Education by Visiting Elderly Care Facilities

Strengthening Infection Control Capabilities for Workers and Quarantine Officers at Vulnerable Facilities

Providing Theoretical Education on Infectious Disease Prevention Along with Handwashing and Protective Clothing Donning and Doffing Practice

In January of this year, the indoor mask mandate was lifted, and the government effectively declared the end of the COVID-19 crisis as of June 1. With various quarantine obligations removed, the long-awaited "great transition to normal life" after more than three years has begun.

All sectors of society, including public institutions such as the government, private companies, self-employed businesses, as well as homes and schools, have returned to pre-COVID-19 conditions.

However, residential vulnerable facilities continue to conduct thorough quarantine management amid the ongoing risk of COVID-19. Visitors must complete a rapid COVID-19 test at the facility entrance, and wearing quarantine masks and using hand sanitizer remain mandatory.

Unlike in the past when COVID-19 cases increased during colder seasons, recent surges in confirmed cases despite the heatwave have raised concerns about cluster infections.

In response, Yongsan-gu (Mayor Park Hee-young) has been conducting infectious disease prevention education since April by visiting elderly care facilities, a high-risk group where severe COVID-19 cases may occur.

The goal is to strengthen infection control capabilities among facility workers and quarantine officers to prepare for cluster infections. Elderly care facilities and home-based elderly welfare facilities are places where high-risk elderly individuals with underlying conditions live together, making preemptive prevention especially important.

The education covers comprehensive topics on infectious disease prevention and management, including ▲designation and training of infection control officers ▲management of staff, patients, and visitors ▲environmental disinfection within the facility ▲importance of personal hygiene such as hand sanitizing ▲COVID-19 prevention guidelines ▲setting isolation zones in case of infected patients ▲and proper infection control practices.

In addition to theoretical education, hands-on experiential training such as ▲handwashing tool demonstrations and ▲practice of donning and doffing protective clothing are conducted, resulting in high satisfaction among participants.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, stated, “For vulnerable facilities, COVID-19 is still an ongoing concern,” and urged, “Since high-risk groups with low immunity live collectively, please remain vigilant and thoroughly practice infectious disease prevention.”

Meanwhile, the district has conducted infectious disease prevention education at eight locations including the Yongsan-gu Hyochang Daycare Center, and plans to visit the remaining three facilities to complete education by September. Following this, the effectiveness of the education will be analyzed and expanded to other vulnerable facilities beyond elderly care centers.

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