Daegu and Gyeongbuk Report 1,027 COVID-19 Cases... 8 Days Since First Case in Yeongnam Region

On the afternoon of the 20th, health officials from Nam-gu Public Health Center in Daegu were conducting disinfection near the Shincheonji Daegu Church in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions has surpassed 1,000.

According to Daegu City, Gyeongbuk Province, and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters as of 4 p.m. on the 26th, the number of confirmed cases in Daegu increased by 33 compared to 9 a.m., and Gyeongbuk increased by 49. The cumulative confirmed cases are 710 in Daegu and 317 in Gyeongbuk (according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters), totaling 1,027 confirmed cases when combined. This is eight days since the first confirmed case in the Yeongnam region was reported in Daegu on the 18th.

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin said, "If contact with confirmed cases related to the Shincheonji Church is blocked, it will be possible to prevent widespread transmission in the local community." He also mentioned that the next week will be a turning point for the local COVID-19 situation.

On this day, Daegu City requested the government and other local governments to supplement the insufficient hospital beds and medical personnel. Mayor Kwon said, "I would like to take this opportunity to ask the government and all cities and provinces nationwide," and earnestly requested "support for hospital facilities and medical personnel to isolate and treat patients."

So far, Daegu City has prepared 783 isolation beds. They have secured 224 beds at Daegu Medical Center and 240 beds at Keimyung University Daegu Dongsan Hospital (Jung-gu) as a priority. In addition, 319 beds have been added at Daegu Veterans Hospital (89 beds), Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service Daegu Hospital (200 beds), and Yeungnam University Hospital (30 beds). The city announced plans to secure an additional 300 beds by transferring existing patients at Daegu Medical Center and Yeungnam University Hospital to other hospitals early.