[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has warned that it will take strong administrative measures against acts that hinder quarantine, such as non-cooperation with COVID-19 diagnostic tests or assembly ban administrative orders, or falsifying movement routes.
It also announced that it will convert the Samsung Fire Global Campus in Goyang and the Korea Standard Association Human Resources Development Institute in Anseong into COVID-19 residential treatment centers as early as this week. Furthermore, it appealed for active support from nurses, citing a shortage of medical personnel to handle patients.
Lee Hee-young, co-head of the Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Emergency Response Team, held a regular briefing on the 26th and stated, "Recently, there have been sporadic incidents in the province involving abusive language toward quarantine medical institutions, fake news, and refusal or obstruction of epidemiological investigations."
Lee emphasized, "Acts such as non-cooperation with diagnostic tests or assembly ban administrative orders, hiding movement routes without justifiable reasons, or making false statements are serious criminal acts that cannot be tolerated in the current situation where all efforts are being made to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will never overlook these antisocial acts that undermine the quarantine system and threaten the safety of residents."
Lee added, "We will establish an organic cooperation system with city and county governments and local police stations, apply a zero-tolerance policy, and respond strictly with strong administrative measures such as prosecution."
He also said, "We are preparing to open additional residential treatment centers at the Samsung Fire Global Campus in Goyang and the Korea Standard Association Human Resources Development Institute in Anseong within this week."
Furthermore, he appealed for participation from medical professionals in Gyeonggi Province’s emergency medical support team, saying, "There is a severe shortage of medical personnel to handle patients along with hospital beds. Especially, we need many nurses who can work continuous shifts for more than one month at hospitals, residential treatment centers, and home care operation teams." Inquiries about participation can be made through the provincial call center (031-120), Gyeonggi Province’s social network services (SNS), or the volunteer centers of the province and city/county governments.
As of midnight on the 26th, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Gyeonggi Province increased by 91 from the previous day to a total of 2,797, with confirmed cases occurring in 23 cities and counties within the province. The main infection routes of new confirmed cases include 5 related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 4 related to the Gwanghwamun rally, and 4 related to Uri Jeil Church in Yongin. The number of confirmed cases with unknown infection sources was 23, accounting for 25.3%. Elderly people aged 60 or older numbered 28, accounting for 30.8% of new confirmed cases.
With 5 additional confirmed cases, the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church has increased to 270. Among 1,055 people subject to testing, 933 have completed testing, with 270 testing positive. The remaining 655 tested negative, and 8 are awaiting results. There are 15 people waiting for testing and 107 untested.
Regarding the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally, 4 additional confirmed cases were reported, bringing the cumulative total to 57. Among 6,171 tested individuals, 57 tested positive, 5,811 tested negative, and 303 are awaiting results.
As of midnight on the 26th, Gyeonggi Province has secured 570 treatment beds for confirmed patients across 14 hospitals. Currently, 551 beds, or 96.7%, are in use.
The Gyeonggi Metropolitan Area No. 2 Residential Treatment Center in Ansan and the Gyeonggi Province No. 3 Residential Treatment Center in Icheon, where mild patients are isolated and treated, can accommodate a total of 514 patients.
As of 5 p.m. on the 25th, 285 patients have been admitted, with a usage rate of 55.4%, leaving 229 beds available.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
