Two hospitals reopen after MERS suspension

As South Korea’s Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak shows signs of fading, two medical institutions that have been closely involved with the health crisis resumed their services on Monday.

The National Medical Center, one of the government-designated facilities responsible for treating MERS patients under quarantine since June 4, hasn’t received any new patients as of Monday. The facility treated a total of 40 people infected with MERS, including the nation’s first patient. There are about seven patients remaining at the hospital, who are being treated in isolation.

“We are proud that no medical staff contracted the virus while caring for the patients,” said Cho Jung-ha from the hospital. 

Joining the National Medical Center is the Samsung Medical Center, where 91 individuals were confirmed to have contracted the virus. The hospital said it is now fully operational as of Monday, as the Seoul Metropolitan Government lifted its temporary shutdown that lasted for about a month.

The hospital, considered one of the top medical facilities in Seoul, was the largest infection source of MERS patients in Korea, accounting for 49 percent of confirmed cases.

Most of the 91 patients contracted the disease at the hospital’s emergency room, where the 14th confirmed patient, who is considered a “super-spreader,” stayed from May 27-30.

The MERS outbreak has killed 36 and infected 186 since the first case was confirmed on May 20. The spread has consistently showed signs of losing steam lately, with no additional cases confirmed since July 6. A total of 136 patients have fully recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

If no cases are reported until Aug. 2 -- four weeks after the latest case was reported on July 5 -- it can be announced that the outbreak in the country is finally over.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)