방역, 격리, 치료... 대구시, 코로나19 기세꺽은 ‘성공 트라이앵글'
Two months ago, 90 percent of South Korea's COVID-19 cases could be traced to the southeastern city of Daegu.
Today, the city has seen the number of new infections drop to near zero and its recovery rate is at nearly 90 percent.
Our Lee Kyung-eun is down in Daegu to find out how it's managed to get the outbreak under control.
Kyung-eun, South Korea has been better than the global average overall, but what appears to be the secret behind Daegu's success?
Yes Conn-young, like you said, the situation is under control in Daegu, at least for now.
And remarkably, the city has come to this stage without imposing a lock-down.
The city government attributes that to three key factors: social distancing, isolation of patients and their treatment.
The most critical pillar, it says, is the first one people's active participation in social distancing, which began weeks earlier here in Daegu than in other parts of the country.
A recent survey reported that 87.7 percent of locals said that they had actively participated in what the city calls the "March 28 Movement".
And the city mayor Gwon Young-jin says that's what differentiates Daegu from other parts of the world that have been hit hard by the virus.
"Daegu has not imposed any aggressive legislative measures, nor imposed a travel ban. It was rather the public's collective, voluntary participation that helped stabilize the situation."
So high intensity social distancing, but also like you said, isolation and the robust medical system were critical in the city's fight against the outbreak, weren't they?
About two months ago, the city saw an exponential surge in cases, mostly linked to the Shincheonji religious group.
And that's when city's medical system was on the verge of collapse.
But the city introduced the so-called "temporary care center" system,... which was used to house patients with mild symptoms so more hospital beds could be kept for severe patients.
This quarantine system helped the city reduce the total damage from the outbreak, and became an innovative model for other countries.
And by April 30th, all 15 centers had closed after releasing all their patients.
Lastly, medical staff who've come from all parts of the country played a critical role,... as did the support and medical resources from the central government.
The Daegu city government is planning to publish the lessons it has learned from the outbreak after it completely ends.
Back to you Conn-young.
As always, our gratitude to all the healthcare professionals working day and night in the frontlines.
And, thanks, Kyung-eun. Great coverage.
