Governor Lee Jae-myung Appeals for Full Government-Private Sector Response to Prepare for Worst-Case COVID-19 Scenario

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province viewed the current COVID-19 situation as a second wave of the pandemic and appealed for active cooperation from residents, medical professionals, hospitals, and private companies and organizations, stating that a full government-private sector response in preparation for an explosion in infections is inevitable.

On the morning of August 20, Governor Lee held an emergency online press conference at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office and said, "Severe limitations in expanding medical capacity have begun due to unexpected rapid surge in infections that exceeded our predictions. I judge that a full government-private sector response to prepare for the worst-case scenario is inevitable, and as the final responsibility holder for Gyeonggi Province's quarantine administration, I am issuing an emergency appeal to all residents."

The governor first addressed residents, stating, "From now on, a new phase of tsunami-level shock that we have never experienced before will begin, so we must shift into the highest level of comprehensive preparedness including psychological quarantine measures. Except when absolutely necessary, we must refrain from going out and contacting others as much as possible, and in all situations where contact with others is possible, we must always properly wear a mask as the minimum defense mechanism," he emphasized once again.

Previously, the province issued an administrative order on August 18 making mask-wearing mandatory for all residents and visitors throughout Gyeonggi Province.

Governor Lee further stressed that preparations must be made for a worst-case emergency situation where medical capacity cannot handle the total volume of infections, and that the emergence of home-quarantine cases must also be anticipated.

He also stated, "We are currently admitting and treating confirmed patients in isolation intensive care units, general isolation wards, and community treatment centers according to symptoms and risk factors, but if the outbreak spreads, home-quarantine cases will inevitably occur. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's COVID-19 response guidelines have not yet presented home treatment as a management method, but when the outbreak spread in the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province regions last spring, many confirmed patients had to wait at home for several days."

He added, "Considering that the emergence of home-quarantine cases will become an unavoidable reality, I will expand personnel and supplies and hastily prepare the system so that insufficient medical resources are properly distributed to those who need them."

Following his appeal to residents, Governor Lee called for active cooperation from public institutions, private companies and organizations, medical professionals, and hospitals in COVID-19 quarantine efforts.

First, he requested that public institutions and private companies and organizations convert their training and education facilities to community treatment centers. The governor stated, "The reality is that many private companies and organizations, and even some public institutions, are being very passive about usage agreements for conversion to community treatment centers, apparently not yet aware of the severity of the situation. We need active and rapid cooperation from these institutions to respond faster than the virus."

He requested that medical professionals participate in the Gyeonggi Province Emergency Private Medical Support Team. The governor said, "With the rapid increase in patients and the expansion of community treatment center and home-quarantine management systems, there is an absolute shortage of medical professionals including doctors, nurses, and nursing assistants. Due to staff shortages, secured community treatment centers or isolation wards may not function properly, or infected persons may be left unattended at home, so I request active support from medical professionals in the Gyeonggi Province Emergency Private Medical Support Team."

Governor Lee continued, "During the first wave centered on Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, many medical professionals participated in volunteer work to minimize damage and overcome the crisis. I feel very heavy-hearted having to request additional sacrifices from the medical community."

Medical professionals wishing to participate in the Gyeonggi Province Emergency Private Medical Support Team can call the Gyeonggi Province Call Center at 031-120 or contact the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office or the governor's various social media accounts.

Additionally, Governor Lee requested cooperation from hospitals in securing isolation beds for severe patients. The governor stated, "Given the nature of the Love the Lord Church and Gwanghwamun rally, the COVID-19 confirmed cases are expected to have a very high proportion of elderly people who will likely require intensive care unit treatment. Since public hospitals have already exceeded available capacity, I urge private advanced hospitals to cooperate in securing intensive care units, including transferring patients whose treatment will not be affected."

Finally, Governor Lee said, "As a member of our community, I urge you to do your best within your capacity and responsibility, trust the quarantine authorities, and actively cooperate with quarantine administration efforts. While it is certainly not easy, just as we have always overcome difficult hardships through patience and consideration, participation and dedication, and cooperation, I am confident that we will wisely overcome this second wave of COVID-19," he emphasized with conviction.