385 Critical Patients... Medical Staff and Patient Infections Surge, Hospitals on High Alert

45 Deaths, Total 7,283 Cases
Sharp Increase in High-Risk Groups Including Elderly
Medical Staff, Patients, and Caregivers Testing Positive Continuously
Situation More Severe in Nursing Hospitals and Facilities

On the 18th, when the number of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 100,000 for the first time in history, citizens lined up to get tested at the screening clinic of Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] As the Omicron variant surge causes a spike in COVID-19 cases, there are growing concerns about a sharp increase in deaths and critically ill patients. Although the fatality rate of Omicron is lower compared to the previously dominant Delta variant, the infection rate is so rapid that confirmed cases among high-risk groups such as the elderly and immunocompromised have increased. Emergency situations have arisen in frontline medical settings, including large hospitals and nursing hospitals. With rising in-hospital infections among medical staff and admitted patients, there are concerns that the healthcare system is becoming overwhelmed.

Critically Ill Patients Approaching 400

As of midnight on the 18th, the number of critically ill COVID-19 patients announced by the quarantine authorities was 385, down by 4 from the previous day. The number of critically ill patients had remained in the 200s for about two weeks since recording 288 on the 29th of last month until the 13th of this month, then rose to 306 on the 14th and has stayed in the 300s for five consecutive days. Notably, on the 17th, when new confirmed cases surged to the 90,000 range, the number of critically ill patients increased by 76 in a single day.

The death toll reached 45 on the day, bringing the cumulative deaths to 7,283 (fatality rate 0.41%). In particular, the number of deaths in the past week (12th?18th) was 241, a 36.9% increase compared to 176 deaths in the previous week (5th?11th). The Omicron variant is known to have a fatality rate about one-fifth that of the Delta variant. However, as the total number of confirmed cases rises, infections among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, patients with underlying conditions, and immunocompromised individuals have also increased, leading to more critically ill patients and deaths.

Large Hospitals on High Alert Due to In-Hospital Infections

Hospitals are struggling to devise countermeasures amid the surge in confirmed cases. According to the medical community, in large hospitals mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, the number of in-hospital confirmed cases ranges from around 10 to over 20 per day. Infections are occurring not only among medical staff but also patients, resident caregivers, and employees of partner companies. A representative from a general hospital in the metropolitan area said, "Since many cases are asymptomatic, there are limits to confirming infections," adding, "There have been cases where patients who visited the emergency room without COVID-19 symptoms were treated and transferred to another hospital, only to be confirmed positive at that hospital."

As of the 14th, the cumulative number of asymptomatic infections in the Seoul area reached 100,976, accounting for nearly 25% of the total cumulative confirmed cases. Due to this, some large hospitals have repeatedly postponed surgery schedules or temporarily closed and reopened emergency rooms because of infections among medical staff. According to the Emergency Medical Monitoring System operated by the Central Emergency Medical Center, the proportion of patients visiting with respiratory or fever symptoms has remained around 20% in the past week (11th?17th).

Overflowing Confirmed Cases in Nursing Hospitals

The situation is even more severe in nursing hospitals. More than 20 nursing hospitals and facilities nationwide have experienced cluster infections involving 10 or more people as of now. This month alone, over 150 confirmed cases among staff and patients were reported at a geriatric specialty hospital in Daejeon, and more than 120 cases were confirmed at a nursing hospital in Busan. Since nursing hospitals have many elderly patients, the risk of progressing to critical illness is high. The government has announced plans to administer a fourth vaccine dose next month to about 500,000 inpatients, residents, and staff at nursing hospitals and facilities, but this is considered insufficient to immediately curb the flood of confirmed cases. Professor Lee Jae-gap of Hallym University Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Department pointed out, "Infections among staff and patients are rapidly increasing in nursing homes, nursing hospitals, and psychiatric medical institutions without exception," adding, "If the number of confirmed cases grows further, medical institutions will have to start reducing medical services."

As the COVID-19 spread worsened, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Medical Association issued a joint statement yesterday to respond to Omicron. The statement included support for participation of local clinics and hospitals in COVID-19 response, creation of a safe treatment environment, and provision of appropriate medical services to confirmed patients or their isolated family members. Korean Medical Association President Lee Pil-soo said, "Due to the possibility of a large number of patients, the number of severe cases may increase later, so public-private cooperation is more important than ever," and added, "I hope the government will do its best to ensure smooth supply of rapid antigen test kits and the antiviral Paxlovid, which are current field difficulties, and to establish institutional safety measures for medical personnel."

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