Education provided to 25 call center counselors to resolve worries about MERS

250 beds acquired in event of additional cases of close contacts

◇ Gyeonggi Province responds to MERS-related calls at its 120 Call Center in order to resolve worries about the spread of MERS. On the afternoon of June 2, Governor Nam Kyung-pil presided over an emergency meeting upon his visit to the health center where MERS first occurred. ⓒ Gyeonggi Provincial Government

Gyeonggi Province is responding to MERS-related calls at its 120 Call Center in order to resolve worries about the spread of MERS. In addition, it has acquired 250 additional beds in case of further close contacts.

The Gyeonggi Province Disease Control and Prevention Center held a briefing session on June 3 at 11 a.m., with a representative stating, “The Central MERS Control and Prevention Center is receiving inquiry calls, but there are difficulties in connecting due to the high number of incoming calls, leading to inconveniences for people.” The representative added, “We will try to resolve basic inquiries through Gyeonggi Province call center counselors and shall engage two epidemiological investigation personnel from the Gyeonggi Infection Control Office for more specialized consultations.”

The province, at 10 a.m. the same day, provided a preparatory education session for 25 personnel of the Gyeonggi Province call center, providing them with basic information on MERS and advice on how to manage related inquiries.

Accordingly, the residents of Gyeonggi Province who have inquiries related to MERS can call 120 (031-120 via mobile phones) for more information. 

In addition, Gyeonggi Province announced that the following initiatives will be promoted: prompt examination of MERS cases, daily monitoring of those who came in contact with infected, a hot line for MERS, a joint task force team with the central government, cooperation among provincial and local governments (proposed), protective clothing (Level D) for quarantine institutions, education for the provincial education office healthcare teachers and paramedics.

As of June 2, the Gyeonggi Province Disease Control Center has been conducting close monitoring twice a day via phone of 1,040 people who came in close contact with MERS through the municipal and district health centers. In addition, the Gyeonggi Institute of Health & Environment is investigating suspected transmission cases, putting utmost efforts into preventing the spread of MERS.   

The Gyeonggi Institute of Health & Environment, as of June 2, had conducted 32 investigations. There was one MERS-positive case among 25 completed investigations, and a request for definitive diagnosis has been made to the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Concurrently, the province will acquired 250 more beds in the event of further close contacts with MERS-infected patients. 

At a briefing session, Gyeonggi Province spokesperson Chae Sung-ryung said, “Although isolated beds have been prepared in anticipation of demand, we are working to acquire 250 additional isolated beds so as to be prepared for further cases.” As of now, Gyeonggi Province has acquired 120 isolated beds. 

The province advised municipal and district governments where MERS broke out to refrain from holding events where large numbers of people gather.

On the afternoon of June 2, the provincial government held a MERS management meeting at a public health clinic center within the province where MERS had broken out.

The province has been managing a disease control and prevention center since May 21 when the first case of MERS occurred within the province. In addition, on May 29, Vice Governor Lee Ki-woo was designated as head of the disease control and prevention center chief, maximizing efforts to respond the issue in concert with the central disease relief headquarters.

Among Korean local governments, Gyeonggi Province is the only one managing a disease control center, responding to the requests of public health centers and medical institutions across all areas within the province. 

Meanwhile, in a monthly assembly meeting held on the morning of the same day at the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office, Governor Nam Kyung-pil said, “The citizens of Korea are getting very worried about the spread of MERS.” He added, “Government officials are obliged to come up with measures to address public worries and resolve the situation. We shall do our utmost to prevent the spread of MERS.”

Governor Nam added, “We will not be unbalanced in our approach, but shall stay calm so as to effectively prepare for the future.”  

◇ In a monthly assembly meeting held in the morning of the same day at the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office, Governor Nam Kyung-pil said, “The citizens of Korea are getting very worried about the spread of MERS.” He added, “Government officials are obliged to come up with measures to address public worries and resolve the situation. We shall do our utmost to prevent the spread of MERS.” ⓒ Gyeonggi Provincial Government

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Lee So-young leesy8127@naver.com 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201506031454387055C048&s_code=C048