Medical Staff in the Long COVID-19 Tunnel

On the 17th, the number of new COVID-19 cases remained in the 7,000 range for the third consecutive day, while the number of critically ill patients stayed in the 900 range for the fourth consecutive day. The occupancy rate of severe patient beds in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions is approaching 90%. Health authorities stated that if this trend continues, the number of cases could approach 20,000 next month. Starting from the 18th, social distancing measures will be strengthened nationwide, limiting private gatherings to 4 people and restricting restaurant and cafe operating hours to 9 PM. The photos show the medical staff working hard at Pakae Hospital in Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province, a COVID-19 dedicated hospital, on the 16th. The medical staff's battle to bring an end to COVID-19 continues even now.

Medical staff are caring for a patient in the intensive care unit of Pakae Hospital, a COVID-19 dedicated hospital in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Medical staff are caring for a patient in the intensive care unit of Pakae Hospital, a COVID-19 designated hospital in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Medical staff are caring for a patient in the intensive care unit of Pakae Hospital, a COVID-19 dedicated hospital in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Medical staff are organizing medical waste boxes at Pakae Hospital in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, a designated COVID-19 base hospital. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Medical staff are working in the situation room of Pakae Hospital in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, a designated COVID-19 base hospital. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The status board in the situation room of Pakae Hospital, a COVID-19 dedicated hospital in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, shows a bed occupancy rate of 96%. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Medical staff are busily moving in the control room of Pakae Hospital, a COVID-19 dedicated hospital in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Citizens are undergoing testing using the walk-through method in front of Pakae Hospital, a COVID-19 dedicated hospital in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

A message supporting medical staff is written on the glass wall of the intensive care unit at Pakae Hospital in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, a designated COVID-19 specialized hospital. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

In the lobby of Pakae Hospital, a COVID-19 designated hospital in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, a mural supporting medical staff is painted. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@