Lee Jae-myung "Cannot Predict When COVID-19 Will Become Critical Again"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, emphasized the need to prepare thorough measures regarding the "Novel Coronavirus Infection" (COVID-19), stating, "Although it is showing a lull, we do not know when it might suddenly turn into an urgent situation again."

On the 20th, Governor Lee held a "Meeting with Heads of Private General Hospitals Supporting COVID-19 Severe Patient Beds" at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Situation Room to discuss ways to strengthen the public-private cooperation system for supporting severe COVID-19 patient treatment and securing treatment beds for severe patients.

At the meeting, Governor Lee said, "It seems to be temporarily in a lull, but considering that reinfections are occurring, we do not know when it will become an urgent situation again," and requested cooperation from private hospitals, saying, "We do not know when the shortage of beds for severe patients might occur, but it could actually happen."

He continued, "Looking at the situation in Western countries (advanced countries), the number of deaths varies greatly depending on how efficiently medical resources are utilized," and emphasized, "Although we have done well so far, we must continue to secure beds for severe patients in preparation for the worst-case scenario."

Earlier, on February 27 and last month on the 9th, the province requested cooperation from private general hospitals in the province to secure treatment beds for severe COVID-19 patients through meetings with general hospital directors.

Since then, the province has secured 50 negative pressure isolation beds in 11 hospitals, establishing a proactive COVID-19 response posture.

Attending the meeting were Song Jeong-han, Deputy Director of Medical Affairs at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital; Han Sang-wook, Director of Ajou University Hospital; Shin Eung-jin, Director of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital; Yoo Kyung-ho, Director of Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital; Jeong Hwan-hoon, Deputy Director of Medical Affairs at Korea University Ansan Hospital; Joo Jin-deok, Medical Director of Catholic University St. Vincent's Hospital; Lee Seong-ho, Director of Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital; Kim Seong-woo, Director of National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital; Kim Se-cheol, Director of Myongji Medical Center; Lee Myung-mook, Director of Sejong Hospital; Kim Bu-seop, Director of Hyundai Hospital, and other private general hospital directors in the province, along with Kim Jae-hoon, Director of the Gyeonggi Provincial Health and Welfare Bureau, and Lim Seung-kwan, Co-Head of the Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Emergency Countermeasures Team.

Based on the opinions and difficulties raised by private hospitals at the meeting, the province plans to prepare improvement measures to additionally secure beds for severe patients.