Only 12.7% of the beds available at the Life Therapy Center … Seoul “Request for use of the Seoul National University dormitory”

Main gate of Seoul National University. [연합뉴스]

Amid the third outbreak of the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19), the shortage of beds is becoming a reality, and Seoul has entered into talks with each university about a plan to use eight university dormitories in Seoul as a treatment center of life. Seoul City has sent a letter of cooperation to Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University and Ewha Women’s University, which have medical school hospitals in each region. However, some universities are considering the use of other buildings instead of dormitories, as certain standards must be met for isolation treatment.

On the 16th, Seoul Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup said, “We will expand the life treatment center using the church training center and the university dormitory before the holidays.” “We secured 520 beds in the dormitory at Seoul City University and discussed it with eight other universities. Middle. “Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, Hanyang University, Chung-Ang University, Ewha Womans University, Kyung Hee University, Konkuk University, etc. An official from Seoul said,” The university was also considered to have a medical school hospital so that medical staff can help patients to recover easily. “” The university seems to be seriously aware of the current situation and to consider it deeply. ”

Seoul National University is holding a Corona 19 Management Committee meeting and is in talks with the Seoul Metropolitan Government about a plan to use around 100 rooms of the Ho-Am College Hall (with capacity for 160 people) in the campus as a life treatment center starting next week. The Seoul Metropolitan Government initially requested that the student use the dormitory (dormitory), but Seoul National University said, “To use the old dormitory as a life treatment center, you must use a shared bathroom, and there are apartments for teachers. and nearby staff and nurseries. It was judged that it was not crazy, so we are thinking of an alternative.

Seoul Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup announced Seoul’s countermeasures at the Corona 19 briefing on the 16th. [사진 서울시]

The reason Seoul approached the university was due to the growing shortage of hospital beds in Seoul. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, on the 15th, the bed operation rate of hospitals dedicated to infectious diseases in Seoul for moderately ill patients has risen to 85.7%. There were 77 out of 78 dedicated treatment beds for seriously ill patients, leaving only one. Of the 1,929 beds in the nine vital treatment centers, the number of beds that could be used immediately fell to 245 (12.7%). The proportion of beds that can be used immediately is rapidly decreasing from 22.1% in 9 days to 16.1% in 12 days → 12.7% in 15 days.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government’s request for cooperation was based on Article 49, 12-2 of the Infectious Disease Prevention Act. According to this, the Commissioner of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mayors and provincial governors can mobilize facilities such as hospital beds, training centers and accommodation facilities during the infectious disease outbreak. However, according to the standards of the quarantine countermeasures headquarters, the life treatment center must meet certain standards, such as a separate building that can easily transfer patients to a medical institution. In principle, one room per person, and each room must have a shower and toilet. Space for waste disposal must also be provided, and must be at least 200 meters from the school boundaries.

New confirmed cases of Corona 19 after August. Graphic = Reporter Cha Junhong [email protected]

“We will secure up to 1901 beds in 22 districts in the life treatment centers in autonomous districts,” said Seo Jeong-hyup, an interim agency. “Currently, 280 beds will be installed in the Somang Church training center and will be operated from the 17th.” In addition, he said, “On the 21st, the Red Cross Hospital will be designated as a hospital dedicated to infectious diseases, and will expand 278 beds designating 5 additional hospitals by the end of the year.”

In the case of specialized treatment beds for seriously ill patients, the plan is to secure 18 beds sequentially by the end of the year in six high-ranking general hospitals, including Ewha Women’s University Seoul Hospital, Severance Hospital of Gangnam and Kyunghee University Hospital. Meanwhile, on the 13th, Gyeonggi Province also announced plans to use 500 dormitories (1000 beds) at Gyeonggi University as a life treatment center.

Reporter Heo Jeong-won [email protected]