A medical worker in protective gear holds a thermometer at the National Medical Center in Seoul on Feb. 4, 2020, where patients diagnosed with new coronavirus are being treated. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, which was recently dubbed COVID-19, hospitals culture in South Korea is also changing.
With strict control over all hospital visitors, the culture of friends and family members visiting patients is changing.
A recent hospital visit confirmed the precautions that hospital officials are taking, with visitors lined up at the hospital entrance, waiting to have their temperature taken.
In order to enter the hospital, visitors had to confirm via a questionnaire that they had not visited China in the previous two weeks, and that they had not had any contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient.
In addition, Korea University Anam Hospital has been closed to visitors except for one caregiver per patient since January 26. All personnel entering and leaving the hospital have their temperature checked.
The entrance to the Korea Cancer Center Hospital in Nowon District, Seoul was also crowded with people during a recent visit.
Patients and caregivers who visited to receive outpatient treatment were preparing to answer a questionnaire and have their temperature taken.
The facility was also limiting visitor numbers to only one caregiver per patient.
“It is a little burdensome to be alone, but I think we have to be careful with each other for other patients,” said a young man in his 20s who was taking care of his father at the hospital.
On the other hand, there are still voices of uneasiness. One woman in her 40s asked, “Is it okay to just check for fever if we do not stop people from China entering?”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
