[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung initiated the first emergency mobilization measure for private facilities on the 13th due to a shortage of hospital beds amid the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
On the same day, Governor Lee posted on Facebook, "The spread of COVID-19 requires strict measures equivalent to a wartime situation, so we are inevitably starting emergency mobilization measures for hospital beds and residential treatment facilities in accordance with relevant laws." He added, "As the first case, we have decided to urgently mobilize a university dormitory in Gyeonggi Province."
Gyeonggi Province sent an official letter titled 'Notification of Designation as Residential Treatment Center and Request for Cooperation' to Kyonggi University in Suwon City. Out of 1,000 dormitory rooms (two-person rooms), 500 rooms (1,000 beds) will be initially used as a residential treatment center, with plans to increase the scale depending on the situation.
Governor Lee stated, "If the conversion of the dormitory into a residential treatment facility does not proceed smoothly, an emergency mobilization order will be issued immediately." He expressed his belief that "the university, students, and parents will fully understand the seriousness of the situation and the inevitability of the administrative order."
He further explained, "Due to the rapid increase in confirmed cases, there is an emergency in securing medical facilities, medical capacity, and residential treatment centers. We are mobilizing all public medical infrastructure and making every effort to negotiate and persuade for the mobilization of private resources, but securing private hospital rooms and residential treatment centers is not keeping pace with the rate of patient occurrence."
Gyeonggi Province stated that this measure was taken based on Article 49 of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, which allows city and provincial governors to mobilize hospital beds, training center accommodations, and other facilities during an infectious disease outbreak.
Kyonggi University is reportedly scheduled to discuss tomorrow whether to accept Gyeonggi Province’s measure, citing reasons such as the weekend and the fact that the dormitory building is operated by a private company.
Additionally, Governor Lee reiterated his view that raising the social distancing level to Level 3 is inevitable. He said, "We are currently facing a serious crisis due to the third wave, and to avoid a full lockdown situation, strengthening to Level 3 is unavoidable. I have requested the central government for an early elevation." He added, "Because of the characteristics of the metropolitan area as a single living zone, joint action with Seoul and Incheon is important, but if that is not feasible, we are considering proactively strengthening social distancing in Gyeonggi Province alone."
Meanwhile, as of midnight on the same day, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province reached a record high of 331. The utilization rate of COVID-19 treatment beds in the province was 90.6% (645 out of 712 beds in use), worsening from 90.3% the previous day. Of the 49 beds for severe patients, 47 are in use, leaving only two available. The five residential treatment centers have a utilization rate of 76.6%, with 400 beds remaining.
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