Jeonnam Province Focuses Administrative Efforts on Combating the Spread of COVID-19

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 23rd that, considering the rapid increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases centered in Daegu and Gyeongbuk and the nationwide spread trend, it will concentrate all administrative efforts and take full-scale measures to block community transmission.

Currently, a total of 466 confirmed COVID-19 cases (as of 1 PM on the 23rd) in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas have mostly been linked to Daegu Shincheonji Church and Gyeongbuk Cheongdo Daenam Hospital.

This case has been confirmed to have higher transmissibility compared to previous domestic cases, and the number of confirmed cases is expected to continue increasing.

Accordingly, the province requested diagnostic tests for a total of 35 visitors and contacts of Daegu Shincheonji Church; 25 tested negative, and the remaining 10 are currently undergoing testing.

In particular, among four residents who visited Daegu Shincheonji Church, tests were prioritized: two from Suncheon and Gwangyang (one each) tested negative, and two from Yeosu and Jangseong (one each) were requested for testing.

Additionally, disinfection measures and facility closures were implemented at nine Shincheonji Church locations within the province, and approximately 10,000 estimated believers are being encouraged to self-isolate and voluntarily report.

Along with this, to prepare for multiple patient occurrences within the region, the province has secured maximum available local resources, including 30 negative pressure beds in public and private hospitals.

Preparations have also been completed to secure beds by vacating entire hospitals or wards for mild patients and symptomatic individuals, in anticipation of additional confirmed cases.

Public medical institutions such as Suncheon Medical Center, Gangjin Medical Center, and Mokpo City Medical Center have been designated as infectious disease specialized hospitals, securing 190 treatment beds by the 28th.

In cooperation with Hwasun Jeonnam National University Hospital, the province’s only tertiary general hospital, beds and five negative pressure rooms are being utilized for treating severe COVID-19 patients, and the hospital has been registered as a diagnostic testing institution to share testing duties.

Furthermore, disinfection has been carried out at over 4,200 locations including public transportation facilities, senior centers, welfare facilities, traditional markets, kindergartens, daycare centers, and schools, and 55 screening clinics capable of specimen collection for suspected and symptomatic individuals are being thoroughly managed for rapid diagnosis and response.

Especially, starting from the 24th, during the province’s own tuberculosis screening for 35,000 elderly residents aged 65 and over, COVID-19 testing will be concurrently conducted for those suspected of pneumonia.

Meanwhile, Jeonnam Province has also established 21 designated contact isolation facilities with 392 rooms and expanded the epidemiological investigation team to three teams with 23 members.

For the 533 Chinese international students from 11 universities in Jeonnam, disinfection buses operating 1 to 4 times daily with about 90 vehicles have been run from Incheon Airport to temporary protection facilities to prevent use of public transportation, and thereafter, they will be protected in university dormitories for 14 days.

A Jeonnam Province official emphasized the active cooperation of residents to block community spread of COVID-19 and urged residents to strictly follow infectious disease prevention behaviors such as proper handwashing and covering mouth and nose with sleeves when coughing.