Omicron Storm Approaching... 4 Things to Prepare For

① Resolving Bed Shortages
② Cooperation with Private Medical Sector
③ Dedicated Home Treatment
④ Management of Severe Patients

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the Omicron COVID-19 variant is expected to become dominant in South Korea within 1 to 2 months, there are calls to significantly improve the existing quarantine and medical response systems to proactively address the Omicron variant.

In particular, experts agree that the past quarantine system is insufficient to effectively respond to Omicron, emphasizing the need for bold yet meticulous preparations.

① Securing Hospital Beds Amid Surge in Confirmed Cases

First, there is concern that a surge in new confirmed cases will lead to a corresponding increase in severe patients, causing a shortage of hospital beds. Although some studies suggest that the Omicron variant is less severe than the Delta variant, a recent case in a nursing hospital in Gwangju, where a patient in their 90s died after being infected with Omicron, marks the first domestic death and highlights that the severity cannot be overlooked.

Professor Kim Tak of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital stated, "(If the dominant strain changes) daily confirmed cases could exceed 20,000 to 30,000," adding, "Even if the fatality rate decreases, a surge in numbers will burden the healthcare system and inevitably impose socioeconomic burdens."

Masanghyuk, Chair of the Infectious Disease Countermeasures Committee at the Gyeongnam Medical Association, explained, "Although there are many patients in the metropolitan area, there are also many related medical institutions, so it was somewhat manageable. However, if the same problem occurs in provincial areas, greater chaos will ensue," adding, "If the same issue arises in provincial cities without university hospitals, response will be impossible."

② Inevitable Deployment and Utilization of Private Resources

Since existing public resources may not be sufficient for medical response capacity, it is necessary to request cooperation from the private medical sector in advance.

Professor Kim said, "During the Omicron variant outbreak, patient management at the primary care level will be the biggest challenge," urging, "Regardless of the type of medical institution or specialty, everyone should be prepared to treat COVID-19 patients." He added, "It is necessary to review the entire medical delivery system to ensure appropriate treatment is provided early and patients can be transferred to suitable hospital beds if their condition worsens."

Chairman Ma also mentioned, "For small and medium-sized hospitals, it is necessary for quarantine authorities to negotiate in advance to clear an entire hospital to respond to the Omicron variant."

③ Dedicated Medical Facilities for Home Treatment Needed

There were also calls to significantly expand the capacity to manage self-isolated and home-treated patients. According to quarantine authorities, as of the 4th, there are 311 home treatment management medical institutions nationwide and 36 outpatient treatment centers for home care.

Chairman Ma emphasized, "At the current level, it will be 'home neglect' rather than home treatment," urging, "More outpatient treatment centers and similar facilities must be established to manage home-treated patients."

Regarding the recent reduction of self-isolation periods to 5?7 days in the United States and some European countries, Professor Kim stated, "The shortening of isolation periods (in countries like the U.S.) is a last-resort measure to avoid socioeconomic paralysis due to a surge in confirmed cases," adding, "It is not a situation to consider in South Korea at this time."

④ Improvement of Testing System... Focus on Managing Severe Patients

If the Omicron variant spreads widely within communities, the existing virus testing system may face limitations. Some suggest significantly increasing the number of tests to quickly trace confirmed cases. Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced it is considering introducing rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on-site to detect hidden infections.

However, experts emphasize that the focus should be on managing severe and fatal cases rather than blanket testing for confirmation.

Chairman Ma said, "Recently, diagnostic kits with up to 80% accuracy have been developed, and it is necessary to consider deploying them at various sites," but added, "Going forward, if manpower is available, priority should be given to managing severe patients rather than finding new confirmed cases as is currently done."

Meanwhile, Park Hyang, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, explained, "Beds are being secured by region and area with a responsibility system similar to a dedicated manager system. The manpower supply issue is also being managed by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters through assignments such as public health doctors." The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters plans to hold a forum on the 7th inviting experts to discuss the characteristics and outlook of Omicron and the corresponding quarantine and medical response directions.

Amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing construction market downturn, day laborers are gathering at the labor market near Namguro Station in Guro-gu, Seoul, in the early morning of the 6th to find work. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.