Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Medical Facilities and Nursing Facilities Continue to Increase

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Nohoon] Medical-related COVID-19 confirmed cases occurring in medical facilities and nursing facilities within Gyeonggi Province continue to increase, prompting Gyeonggi Province to urge strict caution at these facilities.

Lim Seung-gwan, co-chairman of Gyeonggi Province's COVID-19 Emergency Task Force, explained the status of cluster infections at medical facilities, nursing facilities, and welfare facilities within the province at a regular press conference on the 21st.

As medical-related infection cases continue to increase, between January and July, 60 out of 1,559 confirmed cases in the province (3.85%) were patients at medical facilities and nursing facilities, whereas from August to the present, 165 out of 3,338 confirmed cases (4.84%) are patients at medical facilities and nursing facilities. The medical-related infection rate in August was 1.69%, but has risen to 6.88% in September and 11.38% as of the 20th in October.

Chairman Lim stated, "The vulnerable population in terms of physical health from COVID-19 is the elderly and those with major underlying diseases, making medical facilities, nursing and welfare facilities the front lines of quarantine response and a crucial position we must defend," and emphasized, "Staff and visitors must pay special attention to their health during times when community transmission is spreading in their respective areas. They should refrain from reporting to work or visiting if they have any suspected symptoms at all."

Based on 0:00 on the 20th, among 4,897 confirmed cases in the province, 225 people are confirmed among those receiving inpatient treatment at general hospitals, nursing hospitals, oriental medicine hospitals, or those residing in or using elderly nursing facilities, disability facilities, and day care centers. Excluding institutional staff, caregivers, guardians, and others among cluster infections, this accounts for approximately 4.6% of total confirmed cases.
The average age of these 225 people is 70 years, with 17 in their 90s, 68 in their 80s, 40 in their 70s, and 44 in their 60s, with those aged 60 and over accounting for 75.1%. As of 0:00 on the 21st, 34 people (13.33%) have died, which is approximately 7.5 times higher than the 1.78% fatality rate for all confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province during the same period.

As of 0:00 on the 21st, the number of confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province increased by 24 compared to the previous day to a total of 4,921 cases, with confirmed cases occurring in 12 cities and counties within the province. Regarding the infection route of new confirmed cases, there are 6 cases related to Bucheon Senior Day Care Center, 5 cases related to Gwangju SRC Rehabilitation Hospital, and 1 case related to a family gathering in Suwon. Among new confirmed cases, 3 patients (12.5%) have an unknown infection route, and 7 elderly people aged 60 and above account for 29.1%.

At Gwangju SRC Rehabilitation Hospital, following the first confirmed case on the 16th, 64 people were confirmed as of 0:00 on the 21st, and as of the 22nd, 27 additional people were confirmed, bringing the total confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province to 91, expanding to 97 including cases from other cities and provinces. The hospital currently has those in the same cluster isolated, and plans to transfer some patients and caregivers to Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Suwon Hospital to enhance isolation effectiveness. On the 19th, 263 outpatient users were tested and placed in self-isolation. Additionally, patients on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the hospital ward completed their first tests and all tested negative.

Regarding Uijeongbu Master Plus Rehabilitation Hospital, following the first confirmed case on the 6th, confirmed cases as of 0:00 on the 21st total 67 in Gyeonggi Province, expanding to 70 including cases from other cities and provinces, of which 31 are inpatients in the rehabilitation hospital ward. The hospital is currently under cluster isolation, and patients, caregivers, and guardians who were admitted to the 5th floor ward, which had high infection density, were transferred on the 13th to Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Anseong Hospital for safer management and isolated treatment.

At Bucheon Senior Day Care Center, the first confirmed case occurred on the 18th, followed by 6 additional confirmations on the 20th, bringing the total confirmed cases to 7 as of 0:00 on the 21st. The first confirmed case was a center user who had contact with a confirmed case from Incheon during a Chuseok family gathering, and the 6 additional confirmed cases are 3 day care center users, 1 staff member, and 2 grandchildren. A total of 57 staff and users of the day care center and 5 family contacts were tested, resulting in 7 positive and 56 negative determinations, with 19 in self-isolation and 33 under active monitoring.

Regarding the family gathering in Suwon, following the occurrence of 8 confirmed cases from the 16th to the 19th, 1 additional case was confirmed, bringing the total confirmed cases to 9 as of 0:00 on the 21st. The first confirmed case appeared on the 16th after a family gathering on the 3rd, and it is estimated that transmission to other students occurred through a taekwondo academy attended by one of the confirmed case's children. Accordingly, full testing is being conducted on students and staff at the taekwondo academy during the same time period and active monitoring is underway, and self-isolation measures have been implemented for those who shared the shuttle bus.

As of 0:00 on the 21st, Gyeonggi Province has secured 675 confirmed patient treatment beds across 16 hospitals, with 252 beds (37.3%) currently in use. Among critical patient treatment beds, 34 out of 49 beds are in use. At the No. 3 Life Treatment Center located in Icheon and the No. 4 Life Treatment Center located in Goyang, 95 people are admitted as of 18:00 on the 20th, showing an operational rate of 25.4%, with remaining capacity for 278 people.