Incheon City announced on the 13th that it will strengthen its constant response system as the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients has recently increased.
According to a survey conducted by the city on 13 hospital-level sentinel surveillance medical institutions with more than 200 beds, the number of new COVID-19 hospitalized patients steadily increased: 8 in the first week of July, 19 in the second week, 13 in the third week, 37 in the fourth week, and 51 in the first week of August.
Accordingly, to reduce the risk of severe illness and death among high-risk groups, the city promptly conducts epidemiological investigations when a cluster of 10 or more cases occurs in infection-vulnerable facilities. In addition, it is working to block the spread of infectious diseases through patient isolation recommendations, monitoring of symptomatic individuals, and preventive management during visits by outsiders.
If COVID-19 infection is suspected, patients can receive treatment and testing at general medical institutions. Medical aid beneficiaries receive free medication, while health insurance subscribers are charged a co-payment of 50,000 KRW.
There are 614 COVID-19 treatment prescription institutions and 329 dispensing institutions in the Incheon area, which can be checked on the city’s website.
COVID-19 vaccinations are scheduled to begin in October. The city strongly recommends that seniors aged 65 and older, immunocompromised individuals, and members of infection-vulnerable facilities actively receive vaccinations. Currently, the approval process for new vaccines is underway, and the central government is expected to announce detailed plans next month.
An official from Incheon City said, "As the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing, we are closely monitoring the spread," and urged citizens to follow personal quarantine rules such as cough etiquette, hand washing, and indoor ventilation.
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