Naju-si, COVID-19 Impact... Operating 24-Hour Emergency Response System

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) is focusing on establishing a thorough quarantine network as a large number of COVID-19 confirmed cases have occurred in Daegu and the Seoul metropolitan area.

On the 20th, the city announced that it is making every effort to supply quarantine supplies to vulnerable groups along with twice-daily mass disinfection of multi-use facilities such as terminals, train stations, bus stops, public transportation, and public restrooms.

Although there have been no additional confirmed cases in the region after the 22nd confirmed patient was released from isolation and discharged, the city plans to maintain a 24-hour emergency response system due to the rapid increase in confirmed cases domestically and internationally.

Starting from the 17th, the day the 22nd confirmed patient was discharged, the city reopened temporarily closed and suspended facilities except for indoor swimming pools and sports facilities, including 609 village senior centers, 12 bathhouses, and 90 daycare centers.

For thorough preventive management, the city distributed about 44,000 quarantine masks, 4,800 hand sanitizers, 700 protective suits, and 1,400 disinfectants to village senior centers, daycare centers, kindergartens, child and youth facilities, terminals, and train stations.

The city operates a total of four screening clinics.

Naju General Hospital and Naju City Health Center operate 24 hours, while Bitgaram Health Life Support Center and Sanpo Health Branch operate during daytime hours.

So far, a total of 216 people have visited the screening clinics, including 28 epidemiological investigations and 188 people sent home.

In particular, an additional mobile X-ray device has been installed at the health center screening clinic to confirm pneumonia through chest radiography, focusing on early diagnosis and rapid response.

As of this day, there are 6 people under full surveillance with a history of travel to China (within 14 days of entry) and 4 people under self-quarantine.

Dongshin University’s 69 Chinese international students are managed by classification into 36 who have entered the country and 33 who are scheduled to enter.

Nine students who entered the dormitory after arrival and five local residents are under self-quarantine.

Seven Chinese workers belonging to local companies were all released from quarantine on the 15th as they showed no symptoms of infection.

Mayor Kang In-gyu said, “We are thoroughly managing quarantine so that citizens can overcome anxiety and carry on with their daily lives and work as usual,” and added, “We will do our best to provide administrative and financial support to overcome the overall economic downturn, including strawberry farms affected by COVID-19.”