Gwangju Metropolitan City and Medical-Pharmaceutical Association Join Efforts to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Hospitalized Patients in Gwangju Increase 4.8 Times in One Month
"Adherence to Respiratory Infection Prevention Guidelines" Urged

Gwangju Metropolitan City has recently decided to closely cooperate with district health centers, the Gwangju Pharmaceutical Association, the Gwangju Medical Association, and others to proactively respond to the signs of the 6th wave of the ‘COVID-19’ outbreak.

On the 9th, Gwangju Metropolitan City held an online meeting with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to discuss the ‘management of COVID-19 treatment drug supply’ and discussed COVID-19 spread response measures with related organizations such as district health centers, the Pharmaceutical Association, and the Medical Association.

Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall exterior view.

According to Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 11th, the COVID-19 sentinel surveillance results from hospital-level medical institutions with more than 200 beds in the region showed that the number of COVID-19 inpatients was only 4 in the 4th week of June, but surged 4.8 times to 19 in the 5th week of July over the past month. This trend is similar nationwide, increasing from 63 in the 4th week of June to 465 in the 4th week of July.

Gwangju Metropolitan City urged citizens to pay special attention to personal hygiene management such as wearing masks and washing hands.

In collaboration with the Gwangju Pharmaceutical Association, Gwangju Metropolitan City shared a list of institutions dispensing COVID-19 treatment drugs and facilitated communication between pharmacies to confirm the availability of prescribed drugs, minimizing the inconvenience for citizens searching for medications. The list of COVID-19 treatment prescription and dispensing institutions is posted on the Gwangju Metropolitan City website or the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service website.

Gwangju Metropolitan City additionally noted that although the recent COVID-19 wave shows symptoms similar to a common cold, more careful attention is required for severe and underlying disease patients.

Son Oksu, Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau of Gwangju Metropolitan City, emphasized, "Respiratory infectious diseases, including COVID-19, are spreading during the summer season. Although it is hot, indoor ventilation must be ensured, and patients suspected of respiratory infections should wear masks, wash hands, and follow infection prevention rules such as cough etiquette."