Mokpo City Supports Daegu and Gyeongbuk Facing Difficulties Due to COVID-19 Spread

If Daegu and Gyeongbuk Mild Patients Are Admitted to City Medical Centers, Thorough Preparations
Measures to Prevent Resident Harm Through Strict Quarantine and Complete External Isolation

Mokpo City held a meeting on the 4th at City Hall with the Mokpo City Council, local educational institutions and medical professionals, representatives of various social organizations, and residents of Irodong. (Photo by Mokpo City)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Hyeong-seok] Mokpo City announced on the 4th that it will make every effort to block the influx of COVID-19 into the local community in cooperation with local institutions and social organizations, while also strengthening support for the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, which are facing the worst difficulties.

On the 4th, Mayor Kim Jong-sik held a meeting at City Hall with the Mokpo City Council, local educational institutions and medical personnel, representatives of various social organizations, and residents of Irodong to share this intention.

In particular, in accordance with the policies of the government and Jeonnam Province, they sought the cooperation and understanding of local residents in preparation for accommodating mild COVID-19 patients from the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions at Mokpo Medical Center in the future. The timing of patient transfer has not yet been decided and will be adjusted according to the local situation.

Currently, Mokpo Medical Center has completed preparations for treatment facilities such as beds to treat confirmed COVID-19 patients, and according to the principle of prioritizing Mokpo citizens, it is prepared to accept patients from the nearby southwestern region and respond to transfer requests from Daegu and Gyeongbuk depending on the situation.

The attendees unanimously agreed that it is natural to join forces to overcome the current situation, which has reached the level of a national disaster, and that helping neighbors in difficulty beyond the region is the true practice of Mokpo’s spirit.

Additionally, various opinions were presented regarding safety for students and residents around schools if patients arrive, alleviating residents’ anxiety, minimizing the impact on local businesses, safety measures for medical staff at the medical center, and compensation plans for economic losses.

They also requested increased quarantine efforts for community safety and active responses to prevent fake news and promote prevention to ease citizens’ anxiety.

The city plans to significantly strengthen disinfection throughout Mokpo, including around the medical center, secure safety equipment for medical staff, minimize patient transfer routes, and thoroughly block patient contact with the outside.

Furthermore, they decided to install a drive-through screening clinic at Yudal Stadium, provide care due to school reopening delays, encourage academy closures, manage PC rooms frequented by youth, support the recovery of local businesses, and strengthen rapid communication in case of COVID-19 related incidents.

Mayor Kim Jong-sik said, “Daegu and Gyeongbuk are experiencing great difficulties to the extent that people have died while in self-quarantine due to lack of hospital beds, so help is needed. First, the safety of our Mokpo citizens is the most important. We will ensure that no damage occurs in our region through thorough quarantine and external blocking, even to an excessive degree. We ask for the cooperation and understanding of our citizens.”

Meanwhile, Mokpo Medical Center, designated as an infectious disease control institution, completed prior measures for all inpatients by the 28th of last month and has been preparing treatment facilities in anticipation of confirmed COVID-19 cases occurring in the region.