Confirmed Cases Near 15,000 Per Day... Herd Immunity Out of Reach

Record High for Three Consecutive Days... Triple in Two Weeks
Experts Unite in Calling for "Stricter Social Distancing"

On the 27th, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, disinfection measures are being carried out on the KTX train at Seoul Station in preparation for the large-scale Lunar New Year transportation. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

As the COVID-19 Omicron variant pandemic intensifies, the daily new confirmed cases in South Korea have approached 15,000. The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 27th at midnight that the number of new confirmed cases increased by 14,518, bringing the total to 777,497. The number of new cases rose by 1,508 from the previous day's 13,010, surpassing 14,000 for the first time.

Since Omicron, which is more than twice as transmissible as the existing Delta variant, became the dominant strain in South Korea last week, the number of new confirmed cases has set a record high for three consecutive days. In particular, the new cases reported on this day were double the 6,601 cases recorded a week earlier on the 20th, and triple the 4,163 cases from two weeks ago on the 13th.

Looking at the infection routes of the new confirmed cases, 14,301 were locally transmitted. Among the locally transmitted cases, Gyeonggi had 4,738 cases, Seoul 3,385 cases, and Incheon 1,010 cases, totaling 9,133 cases (63.5%) in the metropolitan area. The number of locally transmitted cases outside the metropolitan area also exceeded 5,000 for the first time.

Experts have collectively voiced the need to slow down the spread as the Omicron surge is progressing faster than expected. Professor Eom Jung-sik of Gachon University College of Medicine said, "To prevent further spread, quarantine measures must be strengthened," adding, "Since there is strong opposition from self-employed and small business owners, it is not easy, so even if the current level is maintained for the time being, if the number of severe cases rapidly increases, strengthening measures must be implemented."

Professor Jeong Ki-seok of the Department of Respiratory Allergy at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital also emphasized, "If confirmed cases surge further, preparations should be made to strengthen social distancing, and although the current level is high, if the spread continues, a shutdown (temporary work stoppage) like in other countries may be necessary," adding, "However, consent from self-employed individuals must be sought based on sufficient compensation."

There are concerns that the spread may worsen in the future despite the government’s efforts to suppress it through high-intensity quarantine measures. In South Korea, most antibody possession is through vaccination, whereas the antibody possession rate from natural infection is extremely low. This is a stark contrast to overseas situations, making breakthrough infections relatively more likely.

The medical community has requested that local clinics be maximally utilized for COVID-19 testing and treatment in preparation for a surge in confirmed cases. The Korean Medical Association held an emergency press conference on the same day and proposed specific measures such as conducting expert rapid antigen tests, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, and initial diagnosis at clinics, followed by prescription and assessment for severe cases. If negative, retesting is advised if symptoms persist; if positive, treatment and prescription should be provided, and if severe, hospital beds should be requested from public health centers.

Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Ewha Mokdong Hospital stated, "A proper night duty system should be established to encourage clinic participation in home treatment management, and fees should be properly set to enable stable care," adding, "If an immediate transfer system is in place and oral antiviral treatments are taken, the fatality rate can be lower than that of the flu."

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