Seoul Jung-gu Increases Workforce to Prevent COVID-19 Community Transmission

Strengthening Screening Clinic Functions with Increased Staffing, Additional Negative Pressure Devices, and Specimen Collection Rooms... Intensive Monitoring of Fever and Respiratory Symptoms in High-Risk Groups... Promoting COVID-19 Community Infection Prevention through Self-Produced Publicity Materials to Encourage Resident Cooperation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases has surged in just a few days, raising concerns about community transmission.

In response, Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seoyangho) has decided to further strengthen the functions of the public health center's screening clinic to prepare for the spread of COVID-19 in the community. They plan to increase staffing by hiring one doctor, four nurses, and one radiologist, and to support the growing demand for specimen collection by installing additional negative pressure devices, specimen collection rooms, and changing rooms.

Additionally, the district is thoroughly managing vulnerable groups with weakened immunity. For individuals requiring intensive care, such as those with underlying conditions, in-depth monitoring of fever and respiratory symptoms is continuously conducted through 1 to 5 weekly visits by community nurses.

Facilities mainly used by vulnerable groups, such as elderly and disabled welfare centers, temporarily exclude workers and users with travel history to countries subject to special entry procedures from their duties.

Moreover, safety management has been further strengthened by inspecting disinfection status twice daily.

Disinfection of multi-use facilities such as traditional markets and lodging facilities is being carried out sequentially, and local community centers continue to promote voluntary disinfection activities and the rental of manual disinfectors.

At the same time, the district maintains vigilance in disinfection to ensure that site disinfection can be conducted within one hour of a confirmed case.

Public institutions, including the district office and 15 local community centers, have unified entrances and strengthened monitoring by greeting visitors at information desks, guiding hand sanitization, and checking for fever using thermal cameras or thermometers.

The district emphasizes that the COVID-19 crisis must be overcome together with residents and has produced promotional materials containing the district’s COVID-19 response measures, personal prevention guidelines, and information on preventing community transmission to distribute to residents.

This is to inform residents about the district’s various COVID-19 measures to alleviate excessive anxiety and to stress that following the recommendations of the district office, medical personnel, and quarantine authorities is of utmost importance to prevent community transmission.

Seoyangho, Mayor of Jung-gu, stated, "As community transmission is a concern, active cooperation from not only public institutions but also residents is essential. We can overcome this crisis when residents work together." He added, "The district is making every effort at all times, including thorough disinfection and maintaining monitoring. We repeatedly ask residents to strictly follow personal prevention guidelines such as handwashing and wearing hygienic masks."