Support for Negative Pressure Equipment in Long-term Care Hospitals and Facilities through Special Grants
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The government plans to separate symptomatic individuals into different exam rooms for both the midterm exams this year and the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).
Cho Kyu-hong, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), stated in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 7th, "In today's meeting, we will discuss support plans for ventilation and negative pressure facilities in infection-vulnerable facilities, the status of local government medical consultative bodies, and school quarantine management measures in preparation for a COVID-19 resurgence."
Deputy Head Cho said, "We will be thorough in managing school quarantine," adding, "During the midterm exams and the November CSAT period, students showing symptoms will be separated into different exam rooms to minimize the spread of infection."
He also announced plans to deploy 60,000 dedicated quarantine personnel to schools to prevent infections among children and teenagers, who have a high COVID-19 incidence rate.
Regarding infection-vulnerable facilities, he revealed support measures utilizing special grants. Deputy Head Cho said, "First, we will support the installation of negative pressure facilities in public nursing hospitals and facilities in cities and provinces by providing special grants," adding, "We will also establish guidelines for ventilation facility standards in nursing hospitals to strengthen protection for high-risk groups such as the elderly in vulnerable facilities."
Deputy Head Cho mentioned the upcoming winter flu season and urged adherence to quarantine rules. He said, "Although the recent wave, which saw daily confirmed cases reach up to 180,000, is subsiding and quarantine measures are gradually being eased, easing these measures does not mean complete freedom from COVID-19." He continued, "On September 16, a flu epidemic alert was issued for the first time in three years, and with immunity waning, COVID-19 could resurge during the winter season," requesting, "Please strictly follow daily quarantine rules such as ventilation and handwashing, and actively participate in vaccination."
Deputy Head Cho presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for the first time since his appointment as minister on the 4th. He said, "As the Minister of Health and Welfare, I feel a heavy responsibility in taking on the mission of responding to COVID-19," adding, "We will implement flexible responses that minimize daily inconveniences while maximizing quarantine effectiveness according to the epidemic situation."
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