Seongbuk-gu, Full Effort in Response to Novel Coronavirus Prevention Measures

Operation of 24-Hour Emergency Duty System and Daily Active Surveillance System... 'Screening Clinic' Equipped with Negative Pressure Facilities and Personal Protective Equipment in an Independent Space of the Former Health Center Running

Seung-ro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, visited the Seongbuk-gu Public Health Center on the 27th to inspect the emergency quarantine system for the novel coronavirus.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) is making every effort to respond to local quarantine measures to protect citizens from infectious diseases as the novel coronavirus has been elevated from the caution stage to the alert stage.

Seongbuk-gu, which proactively established an emergency quarantine plan for the novel coronavirus through the "Emergency Medical Treatment Plan for the Lunar New Year Holiday" on the 21st, reviewed its response posture at an emergency countermeasure meeting on the 27th.

Under the direct leadership of the Seongbuk-gu mayor, the head of the Seongbuk-gu Public Health Center is serving as the head of the quarantine task force, maintaining a 24-hour emergency duty system until the situation is resolved.

The quarantine task force is composed of a general team, epidemiological investigation team, medical institution management team, and contact management team, establishing a "daily active monitoring system" for suspected patient epidemiological investigations, patient and contact management, and transfer to isolation hospitals.

An independent space within the district health center equipped with negative pressure facilities and personal protective equipment, the "screening clinic," is also in operation. In case of an incident, the clinic can promptly conduct examinations of suspected patients, specimen collection, and epidemiological investigations. The screening system for emergency room visitors has also been strengthened in cooperation with Korea University Anam Hospital, a regional emergency medical center, and Seoul Medical Center.

Hand sanitizers and masks have been provided at multi-use gathering places such as community service centers, libraries, and welfare centers, and banners containing prevention guidelines for the novel coronavirus infection have been installed at the entrances of the district office, community centers, and health centers.

Information is also being promptly provided through the district office website. Promotion of "infectious disease prevention behavioral rules," such as hand washing, cough etiquette, and wearing masks when respiratory symptoms occur, is being strengthened, along with guidance on emergency phone numbers to report symptoms.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro of Seongbuk-gu has also quickly shared information through his personal SNS. On the 27th, the mayor posted, "Referring to past cases such as SARS in 2003 and MERS in 2015, we are thoroughly checking and analyzing scenarios and preparing and implementing necessary measures in advance. Since infectious disease management requires proactive response and residents' cooperation, please report immediately to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (☎1339) or the district health center before visiting medical institutions if respiratory or pneumonia symptoms occur."

Seongbuk-gu plans to postpone or cancel all citizen events hosted by the district until concerns about the novel coronavirus infection are completely resolved, and will mobilize all capabilities to ensure residents' safety and minimize economic impact.