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Seoul National University Hospital announced on August 28 that it was operating an additional negative pressure bed for patients with severe symptoms of the novel coronavirus (Corona 19) infection. Since this day, Seoul National University Hospital has operated the ‘Corona 19 Serious Patient Treatment Room’ with a total of 8 negative pressure beds, and has been treating seriously ill patients. [연합뉴스]
As the number of new patients with a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) in Korea rapidly increases, concerns have been raised that there will be a shortage of beds that can treat seriously ill patients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4,629 newly confirmed corona patients at 0 o’clock. This is the highest since February 29 (909), the time of the first pandemic centered on the Daegu Shincheonji church.
In particular, in Seoul and the metropolitan area, the number of confirmed cases registered triple digits on the 18th of last month, and the uptrend has not stopped until this month. The biggest problem is that the number of confirmed patients is increasing due to the elderly and impaired immunity, which are vulnerable to the coronavirus. Group infections identified to date include hospitals in Jungnang-gu, Seoul (12 people), hospitals in Dongdaemun-gu (25 people), restaurants in Jongno-gu (34 people), and university hospitals in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do.
Current status of patients with severe COVID-19. Graphic = Reporter Jaemin Shin [email protected]
According to the script, the rate of development in critically ill patients among all confirmed patients is 1.7% to 8%, and it is estimated that it takes 7 to 8 days to develop. Taking into account the current number of new confirmed cases, between 10 and 50 seriously ill patients can occur per day. At 4 days, there were 116 patients with severe and gastric problems. Lee Sang-won, director of epidemiological research and analysis at Defense Countermeasures Headquarters, told a press conference the day before, “The outbreak of critically ill patients varies greatly depending on the age of the people infected due to the outbreak. If there are more people aged 60 and over, the proportion of critically ill patients increases, and if they are younger, there are few. In any case, the proportion of critically ill patients is expected to increase ”.
If so, what is the current situation in the room? There are 176 treatment beds dedicated to critically ill patients across the country. This place is equipped with medical equipment and personnel for the treatment of seriously ill patients with Corona 19, and is designated and operated directly by the heavy water supply. Even if there are many critically ill patients due to other illnesses or trauma, it is a special bed that is emptied only for seriously ill patients with Corona 19. As of day 3, there were only 26 treatment beds in the entire metropolitan area, including 8 in Seoul, 7 in Gyeonggi and 11 in Incheon. There are 44 in the entire country. If this is the case, the situation where the seriously ill patient cannot be treated in time will inevitably occur within a few days. In addition to dedicated beds, there are only three private hospital beds in the metropolitan area that can treat critically ill patients with Corona 19.
The largest after the first pandemic of new confirmed corona 19 cases. Graphic = Reporter Jaemin Shin [email protected]
Experts worry that the same situation could be reenacted in Daegu between last February and March, where patients who died at home from not receiving treatment in time could recreate.
Joong-shik Eom, professor of infectious medicine at Gachon University Gil Hospital, said: “I am concerned about the continued emergence of groups (groups) of infection, such as the group of elderly people in Jongno-gu. Severely ill patients from Seoul are being transferred to Incheon and Gyeonggi because they have nowhere to go. “Infectious internal medicine specialists, including those who did not undergo diagnostic tests, are expected to have already passed 1,000 in the past week.”
Kim Yoon, a professor in the Department of Management at Seoul National University School of Medicine, said: “There are about 10,000 beds for critically ill patients in Korea. Of these, only 2-3% of the beds that the government secured for the treatment of Corona 19. Even at the time of the Daegu Shincheonji pandemic in February, half of the beds in critical condition in the Daegu area were empty. “Because the government did not have a system to mobilize beds in private hospitals, there were some patients who could not be treated in time and died at home, but now the same situation is happening.”
Professor Kim said: “Under the Infectious Disease Control Act, the government has the authority to mobilize beds, but it is making no effort. Hospitals are reluctant to do so, but the government is making no effort because they do not want to conflict with hospitals and they are making excuses saying ‘there are not enough beds’ ”. He said: “The government is responsible for securing the beds, but even if the number of patients increases rapidly, it is a problem trying to solve it only through social distancing.” He added that the damage affects millions and tens of millions of people, including small business owners and non-regular workers.
New confirmed cases of Corona 19 after August. Graphic = Reporter Cha Junhong [email protected]
Tae-ho Yoon, head of Accident Control Headquarters, said in a briefing on day 4: “The number of patients has risen to 600, so additional critical care beds will be needed, but even if they continue maintaining the existing 400-500 units, the current critical care beds are approximately two weeks and as early as ten days. If it does, there is a chance it will run out, “he said.” We are doing everything we can to secure the most seriously ill beds. “He said,” Today, we continue to hold meetings on ways to secure additional intensive care beds in each region. ”
Reporter Esther [email protected]
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