Prime Minister Jeong: "Special Measures Needed for Hospitalization of Severe and High-Risk Patients"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Sejong Complex on the afternoon of the 1st. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun emphasized on the 1st, "With the current approach of hospitalizing all patients infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a principle, it is indeed difficult to prevent the tragedy of those in severe or high-risk groups dying while waiting for hospitalization," adding, "This is a time that requires drastic measures."

Prime Minister Chung presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Sejong Complex on the same day, stating, "It is now necessary to discuss ways to protect the lives and safety of the people by utilizing limited medical resources as efficiently as possible."

He mentioned, "Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the global risk level of COVID-19 to 'very high' and emphasized active responses from all countries," adding, "COVID-19 is no longer an issue for individual countries but a significant challenge faced by all humanity."

He continued, "We also had over 800 new cases yesterday," explaining, "Among them, about 650 new patients were added in Daegu alone."

He further pointed out, "Since moving the headquarters to Daegu last Tuesday and personally directing the field as the head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, we have been making efforts, but still, more than 1,000 confirmed patients are waiting for hospitalization at home," adding, "We are doing our best, but the spread is so rapid that we cannot increase hospital beds indefinitely."

Prime Minister Chung introduced, "Based on accumulated clinical results, the medical community has proposed a policy shift," and "The Korean Hospital Association and the Korean Medical Association have suggested managing patients with mild symptoms in public facilities under medical staff protection."

He also warned, "About 80% of confirmed cases are mild and do not require medical treatment, but it can be fatal for those with underlying diseases or elderly patients," emphasizing again, "It is a time to discuss ways to protect the lives and safety of the people by utilizing limited medical resources as efficiently as possible."

Additionally, he added, "The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and related ministries have gathered expert opinions and prepared measures," and "We will listen to various opinions, discuss thoroughly, and reach a conclusion today."

Meanwhile, after presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting, Prime Minister Chung is scheduled to head back to Daegu. Since the 25th of last month, he has been stationed in Daegu, leading the government-wide COVID-19 response as the head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters.