Hospital chief contracts COVID-19; vice health minister in self-isolation

A hospital chief who is part of South Korea’s central coronavirus response team was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday, forcing a number of officials into self-isolation, including Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip.

Lee Yeong-sang, president of the Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, tested positive for COVID-19, the hospital said. He is one of the country’s key medical chiefs in charge of overseeing response to COVID-19. His hospital, which identified its first infection on March 5, has since reported 30 infections.

Vice Minister Kim and several Health Ministry officials went into self-isolation as Lee had attended a meeting of major hospital chiefs that Kim chaired Friday to discuss COVID-19. Seongnam Mayor Eun Su-mi and city officials were also tested for the virus, as they had come into contact with Lee. The results were still pending.

Lee, who had reportedly worn a face mask while taking part in outside events and working at his hospital, complained of coughing and a runny nose before testing positive.

By Choi Si-young (siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)