Out-of-Hospital Cohort Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients with Mild Symptoms in Korea: an Experience from a Single Community Treatment Center
10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e140
- Author:
Peong Gang PARK
1
;
Chang Hyup KIM
;
Yoon HEO
;
Tae Suk KIM
;
Chan Woo PARK
;
Choong-Hyo KIM
Author Information
1. Ministry of Health and Welfare, Sejong, Korea.
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2020;35(13):e140-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused a worldwide pandemic. Less than 6 weeks after the first confirmed cases in Korea, the patient number exceeded 5,000, which overcrowded limited hospital resources and forced confirmed patients to stay at home. To allocate medical resources efficiently, Korea implemented a novel institution for the purpose of treating patients with cohort isolation out of hospital, namely the Community Treatment Center (CTC). Herein, we report results of the initial management of patients at one of the largest CTC in Korea. A total of 309 patients were admitted to our CTC. During the first two weeks, 7 patients were transferred to the hospital because of symptom aggravation and 107 patients were discharged without any complication. Although it is a novel concept and may have some limitations, CTC may be a very cost-effective and resource-saving strategy in managing massive cases of COVID-19 or other emerging infectious diseases.
