President Moon Visits Daegu to Encourage 'Extreme Duty' Medical Staff... Medical Center Director Says "Urgent Need for Personnel and Supplies Support"

President Moon Jae-in is listening to Director Yuwan-sik's explanation of the current status of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at Daegu Medical Center on the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in visited Daegu Medical Center on the 25th, where 147 confirmed and observed patients of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are receiving isolated treatment, to encourage the medical staff.

At around 3 p.m. that day, President Moon visited Daegu Medical Center located in Seo-gu, Daegu, received a status report from Director Yoo Gwan-sik of Daegu Medical Center and others, and said, "I deeply appreciate your role on the front lines as a dedicated hospital for COVID-19, and many medical personnel volunteering to help prevent infectious diseases."

As of 9 a.m. that day, Daegu Medical Center had a total of 147 patients hospitalized and receiving isolated treatment, including 115 confirmed patients and 32 observed patients. The number of beds is planned to be increased to about 370. It operates under a free medical treatment system, and as the number of patients has rapidly increased, medical staff such as doctors, nurses, clinical pathologists, and radiologists have volunteered from all over the country to assist with treatment.

Regarding the medical status and questions about improvements and supplements from President Moon, Director Yoo said, "To overcome the COVID-19 situation, manpower, facilities, equipment, and supplies are needed," adding, "The most important are doctors and nurses, but there is an absolute shortage of infectious disease and respiratory medicine specialists who can properly treat COVID-19 pneumonia patients."

Director Yoo also appealed, "The authorities are paying a lot of attention to supplying goods, but at this rate, we do not know when supplies will run out," and "There are items that will run out within a few days, so please do not ask 'how much do you need?' but just provide them unconditionally, and we will use them sparingly."

President Moon said, "I hope the patients will be treated well and return home safely as soon as possible," and expressed concern, "On the other hand, the health of the medical staff working on the front lines of quarantine is also very important." He added, "Since a small number of medical personnel are doing their utmost, I am very worried that excessive overwork might harm their health or that medical staff might become infected. Please take special care, Director. The central government will also do everything it can to support you."