New COVID-19 Cases Stay Above 50,000 for Two Consecutive Days... 360,000 Expected Next Month

Doubling Phenomenon: Cases Double Every Week Following Omicron Spread

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The number of new COVID-19 cases has exceeded 50,000 for two consecutive days. Amid the spread of the Omicron variant, the number of confirmed cases is doubling every week. As the spread accelerates, there are projections that daily cases could reach 360,000 by early next month.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 11th at midnight that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 53,926, bringing the total to 1,239,287. The number of new cases surpassed 50,000 for two consecutive days following the previous day’s 54,122 cases.

A doubling phenomenon is occurring, with the number of confirmed cases doubling every week. The new cases reported on this day are about twice the 27,438 cases reported a week ago on the 4th, and approximately 3.4 times the 16,093 cases from two weeks ago on the 28th of last month.

The number of severe and critical patients was 271, down by 11 from the previous day’s 282, maintaining the 200s for two consecutive weeks. However, the number of deaths rose by 29 to 49 compared to the previous day. This is the highest figure since the 74 deaths reported on the 19th of last month. The cumulative death toll stands at 7,012, with a cumulative fatality rate of 0.57%. Health authorities observed that as the preventive effect of the third vaccination dose decreases among the elderly who were vaccinated early, severe and fatal cases may increase after next month.

Asymptomatic and mild cases are rapidly increasing. As of midnight on this day, the number of patients under home treatment was 177,014, an increase of 2,837 from the previous day (174,177), which was the first day of the home treatment system transition.

There are also projections that more than 300,000 cases could be reported in early next month. The National Institute for Mathematical Sciences forecasted that daily confirmed cases could reach up to 360,000 in early next month. This figure is more than double the 130,000 to 170,000 new cases expected by health authorities at the end of this month. Experts also predicted that the epidemic would peak in March. Professor Jung Jae-hoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine stated on social media the previous day, "According to our research team’s analysis, a peak with daily confirmed cases exceeding 200,000 is expected," adding, "The peak will likely be sustained throughout March."

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response that regarding the easing of social distancing measures, "If severe cases and deaths remain stable and the epidemic situation can be managed to some extent, I will make a courageous decision at any time."

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