[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] It has been reported that Hansarang Nursing Hospital in Daegu, where a cluster infection occurred with 74 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), had symptomatic individuals as early as 10 days ago.
On the 18th, Kim Jong-yeon, Deputy Director of the Daegu Infectious Disease Control Support Group, stated, "It was investigated that the first patient with symptoms in Hansarang Nursing Hospital appeared 10 days ago," adding, "It seems that hospital-acquired infection has been occurring for a considerable period."
According to Daegu City, a total of 87 patients and staff were confirmed positive for COVID-19: 74 at Hansarang Nursing Hospital in Seo-gu, Daegu; 7 at Baeseong Hospital in Buk-gu; 4 at Suseong Nursing Hospital in Suseong-gu; 1 at Jinmyeong Silver Home in Dong-gu; and 1 at Siji Nursing Hospital in Suseong-gu. Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin said, "These results came from a comprehensive survey of high-risk group facilities conducted by Daegu City since the 13th," and added, "The survey is about 30% complete, so additional confirmed cases are expected."
Health authorities identified additional confirmed cases at Hansarang Nursing Hospital and Baeseong Hospital late yesterday afternoon and implemented cohort isolation (group quarantine) measures.
At Hansarang Nursing Hospital, the head nurse was confirmed positive on the 16th. Subsequently, a full investigation was conducted on 71 staff members and 117 patients, resulting in 74 confirmed cases, including 17 staff and 57 patients. Mayor Kwon stated, "Among the staff who were first confirmed positive, 4 were hospitalized in the hospital, and 10 were admitted to residential treatment centers," adding, "The 60 patients and workers who tested positive early this morning will be transferred to the hospital or residential treatment centers within today."
Baeseong Hospital in Buk-gu was also placed under cohort isolation. After one staff member was confirmed positive on the 16th, a full investigation was conducted on 112 staff and patients. As a result, one nurse and six patients were confirmed positive. The six confirmed patients were transferred to Daegu Medical Center for treatment.
Daegu City confirmed these cluster infections during the comprehensive survey of nursing hospitals and social welfare facilities. The survey of approximately 390 nursing hospitals and social welfare facilities in Daegu is currently about one-third complete.
A Daegu City official said, "We are preparing countermeasures for the affected nursing hospitals."
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