Prime Minister Kim: "Additional 130-150 Beds Can Be Secured in the Capital Area with Self-Payment"
Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Sejong Complex in Sejong City on the morning of the 24th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] The government is considering a plan to require partial payment of medical expenses from COVID-19 unvaccinated individuals or patients who refuse to be transferred to hospital beds.
Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum mentioned at a press briefing held at the Seoul official residence on the 26th that regarding the self-payment of treatment costs for the unvaccinated, "We will consider it from the perspective that individuals should take responsibility for their own choices."
He explained, "When critically ill patients receive some treatment and overcome the critical phase, they should move to a general ward, but some refuse. In that case, we could say, 'From now on, you must bear the treatment costs yourself.' Experts analyze that this could secure an additional 130 to 150 beds in the metropolitan area."
He added, "However, the state has a responsibility to protect its citizens," and said, "Since infectious diseases like COVID-19 are considered disasters, we need to think about the extent of that responsibility."
Regarding the recent surge in new COVID-19 cases and the discussions about the need to return to so-called 'social distancing' measures such as limiting business hours and reducing the number of private gatherings, Prime Minister Kim stated, "It is difficult to use the retreat card," emphasizing, "The measures we can use now are to strengthen additional vaccinations and make it inconvenient for those who are not vaccinated."
According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the day, there were 3,901 new COVID-19 cases and 617 critically ill patients. Additionally, according to the Central Accident Response Headquarters, the number of patients waiting for hospital bed allocation in the metropolitan area reached a record high of 1,310 as of midnight on the 26th.
Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in is expected to announce somewhat strengthened quarantine measures at a special quarantine inspection meeting scheduled for the 29th. However, rather than re-imposing restrictions on business hours for restaurants and bars, measures such as maintaining a phased return to normal life while expanding the application scope of the quarantine pass are being discussed as future strategies.
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