South Korea running out of sickbeds in COVID-19 resurgence
CGTN
A woman undergoes a COVID-19 test at a makeshift clinic in Seoul, South Korea, August 26, 2020. /Reuters

A woman undergoes a COVID-19 test at a makeshift clinic in Seoul, South Korea, August 26, 2020. /Reuters

South Korea reported more than 300 new cases of COVID-19 for a second straight day on Saturday, the 16th consecutive day of triple-digit jumps. The officials have urged citizens to follow the enhanced social distancing laws, warning the coming week may be the last chance to stop a massive outbreak.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 323 new COVID-19 cases as of midnight Friday, including 308 local infections, over the past 24 hours, bringing the total infections to 19,400. Five more patients died, raising the death toll to 321.

After having largely curbed the first large outbreak early this year, South Korea is suffering a setback this month after a church cluster spread to a political rally in Seoul, attended by tens of thousands from across the country.

With the surge in the disease, hospitals in greater Seoul had only 4.5 percent of their beds available for critical cases as of Friday, down from 22 percent a week earlier. Some 24 percent of beds for all COVID-19 patients were left, compared with 37 percent last week.

"Only about 15 beds are immediately available in the greater Seoul area for patients in critical condition as there were numerous patients who were in a serious condition and needed to be hospitalized," said Yoon Tae-ho, director general for public health policy at the health ministry.

A doctor holds a sign criticizing the government's medical policy at the Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea, August 26, 2020. /AP

A doctor holds a sign criticizing the government's medical policy at the Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea, August 26, 2020. /AP

"But we should have a little more rooms shortly because more people are being released," he added.

The government took the unprecedented step on Friday of restricting eateries in the capital area, as a multitude of outbreaks continued to erupt from churches, offices, nursing homes and medical facilities, even after social distancing rules were tightened.

For a week starting Sunday, onsite dining at restaurants, pubs and bakeries in Seoul will be banned after 9 p.m., while coffee shops, some of which have been identified as hotspots, are restricted to takeout and delivery.

Churches, nightclubs, gyms and most schools in the area are already closed, and masks are mandatory in public places.

The health authorities have expressed concern, especially as almost 16,000 interns and resident doctors have been on strike since August 21, primarily over the government's plans to boost the number of doctors to better deal with health crises like the coronavirus.

The Health Ministry filed a police complaint against at least 10 doctors and extended a back-to-work order for the doctors, who are the backbone of healthcare services in emergency rooms and intensive care units.

The striking doctors have volunteered at temporary testing centers to help with the outbreak, and major hospitals have reported delays and disruptions since their walkout.

(With input from Reuters)