Gyeonggi Province Operates Screening Clinics Normally During Holiday...Provides Immediate Testing Support

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hoon Reporter] Sporadic cluster infections have continued at hospitals and academies in Gyeonggi Province, preventing COVID-19 trends from stabilizing.
During the Chuseok holiday period, Gyeonggi Province plans to operate 48 screening clinics normally run by 6 provincial medical centers and health centers to provide immediate testing support, and will operate dedicated COVID-19 hospitals and community treatment centers normally in preparation for additional confirmed cases during the holiday period.

Kim Jae-hoon, Director of the Health and Wellness Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, held a regular press conference on the 25th and stated, "This Chuseok holiday could be a critical turning point in determining whether there will be a resurgence," and added, "While it is disappointing and regrettable not to meet separated family and relatives in person, we ask that you be aware that the closer the family relationship, the higher the risk of COVID-19 transmission through close contact."

As of 0:00 on the 25th, the number of confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province increased by 27 compared to 0:00 the previous day, totaling 4,299 cases, with confirmed cases occurring in 16 cities and counties throughout the province. The transmission routes of new confirmed cases include 7 cases related to a music academy in Anyang, 1 case related to a nursing home in Bucheon, 1 case related to Uijeongbu Paik Hospital, 1 case related to Shinchon Severance, and others. Among new confirmed cases, 1 is related to overseas entry, 4 cases (14.8%) have unknown transmission routes, and 13 cases (48.2%) are elderly people aged 60 and above.

On the 24th, 7 additional people including staff, students, and their family members at a music academy located in Anyang tested positive. Previously on the 22nd, the academy director who gives vocal lessons and his mother tested positive, and on the 23rd, 1 student tested positive. To date, a total of 12 accumulated confirmed cases are related to this academy, of which 10 are cases in the province.

Regarding the nursing home in Bucheon, following the first confirmed case of a resident at the facility on the 23rd, 1 caregiver working on the same floor tested positive on the 24th. The affected floor of the nursing home is under cohort isolation. After reclassifying contacts, 71 residents and staff have been placed under home quarantine, and 96 are under active surveillance.

Regarding Uijeongbu Paik Hospital, a clerical staff member tested positive on the 24th, and was confirmed to have had contact with 2 nurses and others at the hospital who tested positive on the 20th on the 18th. The clerical department where the confirmed case occurred was closed on the 24th, and staff working on the first floor are under home standby. Since normal operations continued from the 21st to the 23rd before the confirmed case occurred, 53 staff and others who had contact during this period are under home quarantine.

Regarding Seoul's Shinchon Severance Hospital, 1 additional confirmed case brought the total accumulated confirmed cases to 17. The additional confirmed case is a contact of a confirmed employee related to a nursing home in Pocheon, which is an n-th transmission case related to Shinchon Severance Hospital.

As of 0:00 on the 25th, Gyeonggi Province has secured 670 patient care beds at a total of 16 hospitals, with 311 beds (46.4%) currently in use. A total of 4 community treatment centers including Gyeonggi Capital Region 2 and Facilities 3, 4, and 5 have 159 residents admitted as of 18:00 on the 24th, showing a 15% occupancy rate. Remaining capacity is 899 people.