New COVID-19 Cases Surpass Triple Digits Daily
Patient Treatment Beds Increasing but Cases Rising Faster
[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol, Kim Heung-soon, Jo Hyun-ui] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Daegu Metropolitan City continues to increase by 200 to 300 daily, the number of nationally designated inpatient treatment beds available for patients in the region has already exceeded its limit. The government, quarantine authorities, and local governments are putting their heads together, but they are deeply concerned as there is a high possibility of a rapid surge in additional confirmed cases in the near future.
With projections that the number of patients related to the Shincheonji Jesus Church in Daegu, where a cluster infection occurred, could reach up to 3,000, some fear that the cumulative number of domestic cases, currently around 2,000, could soon exceed 10,000 due to community transmission. Clinical experts have stated, "It is no longer possible to cope with a hospital-centered patient admission system," and have proposed, "Temporary facilities should be expanded to selectively manage confirmed cases with relatively mild symptoms."
Large Number of Symptomatic Cases Related to Shincheonji Daegu Church
1,314 Patients · 1,082 Beds
Increased by 618 Beds in Three Days but Cannot Keep Up with Patient Numbers
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for COVID-19 as of 9 a.m. on the 28th, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Daegu stands at 1,314. This is an increase of 297 cases from 1,017 as of 9 a.m. the previous day. The cumulative number of cases in the region first surpassed 100 on the 22nd with 154 cases and has surged nearly ninefold in just six days.
The quarantine authorities have completed diagnostic testing for 1,299 individuals exhibiting suspected COVID-19 symptoms such as fever and cough among approximately 9,300 Shincheonji Daegu Church members by the previous day, leading to a rapid increase in confirmed cases. Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin stated, "So far, 82% of symptomatic individuals tested positive." This means 1,065 people have been confirmed positive. Since these cases are sequentially registered in the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' computer system and results are announced accordingly, additional confirmed cases in Daegu are expected to average three digits daily for several days. Mayor Kwon predicted, "If we test the remaining Shincheonji members and citizens, additional cases will emerge there as well. If we can contain the additional cases to around 2,000 to 3,000, early stabilization is possible."
As of the morning of this day, the number of beds secured in Daegu is 1,082 in total, including 1,013 within the region and nearby areas. This is more than double the 464 beds available on the 24th, but still 232 fewer than the number of patients in the region. Daegu plans to secure more beds at the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service Daegu Hospital (about 200 beds), Daegu Veterans Hospital (about 300 beds), and the Armed Forces Daegu Hospital (about 300 beds), but if the cumulative number of patients rises to 3,000, there will be no solution.
More Than Half of Daegu Confirmed Cases Unable to Be Hospitalized, Self-Isolating at Home
Concerns Over Increased Deaths Due to Family Transmission and Critical Conditions
Experts Recommend Managing Mild Cases in Facilities Like Wuhan Evacuees
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for COVID-19 has proposed expanding the number of beds to cover nearby regions as the situation in Daegu rapidly deteriorates. The plan is to secure about 1,600 available beds not only in dedicated hospitals in Daegu but also in Daejeon, the Chungcheong region, and Masan in Gyeongnam by March 1. However, even if beds are prepared, transferring existing inpatients to other hospitals must be done first, so time is needed before COVID-19 patients can be admitted.
As of this morning, there are 1,314 patients in Daegu, but only 634 are hospitalized, with the remaining 680 waiting at home without admission. A man in his 70s who died yesterday while in self-isolation after diagnosis was reported to have had kidney disease. It is expected to take time to assess the severity and underlying conditions of patients currently unable to be hospitalized, raising concerns about additional casualties.
Experts point out that the current approach of securing hospital beds led by the government and local governments cannot prevent this crisis. Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center suggested, "If confirmed patients self-isolate, they can transmit the virus to family members living in the same space, and it is difficult to respond in emergencies. Like the evacuees from Wuhan, mild patients should be gathered in temporary living facilities where dedicated medical staff can monitor their progress." He added, "Medical staff can observe pulse and respiration, and even just deploying mobile vehicles equipped with chest X-ray devices and oxygen therapy equipment would allow sufficient management of patients in temporary facilities."
However, the opposition of local residents in nearby areas designated as temporary living facilities for confirmed patients must be considered. Professor Eom said, "We should consider using hotels or lodging facilities in Daegu that have ceased operations due to COVID-19 and have the government provide subsidies." Jeon Byung-yul, Dean of the Graduate School of Health Industry at CHA University, emphasized, "The government and local governments should first identify public facilities such as the Daegu Civil Servant Training Center and actively promote management of confirmed cases."
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