Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital to Close Outpatient Services Until Weekend from 21st for Patient and Visitor Safety; Emergency Room to Operate Normally After Disinfection; Hospital-Wide Disinfection and 14-Day Self-Quarantine for Medical Staff Contacts... Eunpyeong District Conducts Full Disinfection of Multi-Use Facilities and Subway Stations
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Among the patients who visited the screening clinic at Catholic University Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital located in Eunpyeong-gu, one was initially tested positive for COVID-19 late at night on the 20th. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency conducted a second test, confirming the patient as a final confirmed case.
The confirmed patient had previously worked at Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, responsible for transferring ward patients for testing, but had resigned. On the 17th, during an outpatient visit, the patient was checked for fever and guided to the screening clinic but returned home without testing. On the morning of the 20th, the patient visited the screening clinic at Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital and underwent a COVID-19 test.
After receiving a first positive result in the evening, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency conducted a second test to confirm the COVID-19 diagnosis, and the final confirmation was made on the morning of the 21st.
The patient has currently been transferred to the National Medical Center, a government-designated isolation hospital bed, and is under isolation.
Following the occurrence of the COVID-19 case, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital announced that outpatient services would be closed from the 21st through the weekend for the safety of patients and visitors. The emergency room will resume normal operations once disinfection is completed, and disinfection of the entire hospital has already been completed.
Eunpyeong-gu is operating screening clinics and telephone consultation centers to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Additionally, they have completed comprehensive surveys of lodging facilities and conducted disinfection of social welfare facilities, senior centers, daycare centers, subway stations, and other vulnerable groups and public facilities.
Furthermore, since the 5th, educational facilities, cultural facilities, sports facilities, and community center programs have been temporarily closed until the 29th of this month. During the closure period, measures for disinfection, facility inspection, and environmental improvement have been implemented.
Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, stated, "Due to the confirmed case at Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, we are expanding disinfection and sterilization of public facilities, multi-use facilities, and subways. We are also expanding the operation of health center screening clinics by installing additional negative pressure tents to prepare for contacts (Eunpyeong-gu currently operates three screening clinics at Eunpyeong Municipal Hospital, Seobuk Municipal Hospital, and Eunpyeong-gu Health Center). We will thoroughly implement additional measures as soon as the movement paths and contacts of the confirmed patient are identified."
She also urged residents to strictly follow personal preventive measures such as wearing masks, washing hands, and practicing cough etiquette. Residents with questions or concerns about the novel coronavirus infection are encouraged to contact the Eunpyeong-gu Health Center at 351-8640-1, 120, or 1339 immediately.
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