Authorities: "10 COVID-19 Patients in Critical Condition on Ventilators, etc." (Update)

On the 26th, medical staff at the screening clinic of Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital in Buk-gu, Daegu, are preparing to test a suspected case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Among the confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea, 10 patients are in critical condition, requiring mechanical ventilation.

On the 28th briefing, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, stated, "There are about 10 cases considered to be in very serious condition, requiring mechanical ventilation or intubation, indicating difficulty in breathing independently," and added, "There are 6 patients who are not in critical condition but are using oxygen masks or have low oxygen saturation."

As of 9 a.m. on the same day, the total number of confirmed cases in the country was 2,022. Among them, 26 patients have been discharged after full recovery, and 13 have died. Currently, 1,983 patients are isolated and receiving treatment. However, in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, where cases have surged rapidly within a short period, 680 patients confirmed positive have not yet been assigned hospital beds and are self-isolating, indicating the possibility of an increase in severe cases beyond the current numbers.