7 COVID-19 Patients in Critical Condition... "Most Others Are Stable" (Update)

On the 21st, as concerns about the local spread of COVID-19 rise, Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul is being closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 21st that about seven patients infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are in critical condition. Six of them are receiving treatment while wearing oxygen masks.

At a briefing on the same day, Director Jeong Eun-kyung said, "The number of patients has recently increased significantly, and for patients transferred from the psychiatric ward of Cheongdo Daenam Hospital, pneumonia is still progressing," adding, "About seven patients are receiving treatment in relatively severe condition."

According to the Disease Control Headquarters, 52 additional patients were confirmed this morning, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 156. In the case of COVID-19, it is common for symptoms to start with mild signs such as cough or fever and then progress to pneumonia. However, medical staff explained that some patients subjectively feel milder symptoms than what is revealed on CT scans.

In the case of patients in Jongno-gu, Seoul, it is presumed that they were commonly infected at the Jongno Senior Welfare Center. Although most patients are elderly and have underlying conditions, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters reported that their conditions are not severe. It was confirmed that patient number 83 was at Myeongnyun Church on the 26th of last month at the same time as patient number 6.

The Disease Control Headquarters estimated that after patient number 83 was infected by patient number 6, they subsequently infected patients number 29, 56, and 136 at the senior welfare center. Patients number 30 and 112 are spouses of patients number 29 and 136, respectively. Gwak Jin, head of the epidemiological investigation and patient management team, said, "One patient is receiving oxygen therapy through an oxygen mask, and the others are not in critical condition."