'Record High COVID-19 Deaths'... Lee Jae-gap "I Warned Not to Let It Get This Bad"

470 Deaths in One Day... Highest Ever Recorded

Professor Lee Jae-gap, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Amid the record-high number of COVID-19 deaths reported in a single day, Professor Lee Jae-gap of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital expressed his sorrow, saying, "The hearts of medical staff are also wounded."

On the 24th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that 470 people died from COVID-19 in one day. This number is 41 more than the previous highest daily death toll of 429 on the 17th. The cumulative death toll has now reached 13,902.

Professor Lee posted on Facebook that day, stating, "When the pessimistic predictions become reality, great sadness fills the heart of the person who made those predictions." He added, "I warned that it should not come to this, but the warning was not heeded and it became reality."

He lamented, "Despite such sadness, the efforts of medical staff to save even one life on the front lines continue. And the hearts of medical staff who have to say goodbye to patients are also wounded."

Photo by Professor Lee Jaegab, captured from Facebook

Earlier, Professor Lee served as an advisory member of the government's COVID-19 Recovery Support Committee but voluntarily resigned on the 16th of last month in protest against the government's easing of quarantine guidelines.

On the 15th of last month, Professor Lee wrote on Facebook, "If you are going to ease social distancing, please show that you can manage the increasing number of patients. The front lines have become a living hell," adding, "I no longer intend to speak about social distancing. It seems the government will not listen."

Also on the 15th, he criticized, "Stop the nonsensical wordplay comparing the fatality rate of the flu to COVID-19. Has the flu ever had 400,000 confirmed cases per day? If the flu had 400,000 cases a day, the healthcare system would collapse."

He appealed, "All available policy measures have been lifted. The government must acknowledge the limits of the healthcare system's capacity and honestly confess to the public that the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse."