Prime Minister Kim Returns After COVID Treatment: "Omicron Peak Within Ten Days... Up to 370,000 Cases" (Update)

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office Building on March 11, 2022. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 11th, "Omicron will reach its peak within about ten days," adding, "The scale is expected to reach up to 370,000 cases per day on a weekly average basis."

Kim, who tested positive for COVID-19 on the 3rd and began home treatment, chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting as his first official schedule after returning to work and made these remarks.

As confirmed cases surged significantly, putting emergency pressure on securing related hospital beds, Kim said, "We currently have about 30,000 beds secured, and in addition, we are adding around 2,300 beds including those in infectious disease-dedicated nursing hospitals," adding, "For patients who have completed COVID-19 treatment, we will actively recommend transfer or full-room use to ensure that the secured beds are operated efficiently."

He also stated, "Starting next week, we plan to improve the system so that mild in-hospital confirmed patients can receive treatment in general hospital beds," emphasizing, "It is necessary to treat COVID-19 patients within the general medical system according to the current situation."

Kim further said, "From next week, the results of professional rapid antigen tests conducted at medical institutions will be recognized without additional PCR testing," expressing hope that "this will enable rapid judgment and proactively block further infections." Additionally, for confirmed patients aged 60 and over, treatment drugs can be prescribed immediately at the testing medical institution.

Meanwhile, Kim, who serves as the head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, reflected on his own experience of home treatment over the past week, saying, "Since I am also over 60, I was checked twice daily by medical institutions regarding various conditions," and added, "Through this process, I realized that those receiving home treatment who are not in high-risk groups face various psychological difficulties." He continued, "We will thoroughly review the system again to allow home treatment patients to report any physical changes promptly."

Regarding the new government led by President-elect Yoon Seok-youl, which is about two months away from inauguration, Kim said, "I will spare no necessary support to ensure a smooth transition of state affairs to the next government," emphasizing, "Especially in terms of quarantine measures to protect the lives and safety of the people, there can be no distinction between the ruling and opposition parties." He added, "Until the last day of my term, all public officials and I will do our best to ensure there are no gaps or lapses in quarantine."

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