Jung Daebon "Decline Resumes After 11 Weeks... Stealth Omicron Becomes Dominant Variant"

Today's New Confirmed Cases: 187,000

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The government announced that the Omicron wave has passed its peak and is entering a decline after 11 weeks. However, as the so-called stealth Omicron variant 'BA.2' becomes dominant and the increase in severe cases and deaths is expected to peak in 2 to 3 weeks, personal quarantine measures are strongly urged.

On the 28th, Kwon Deok-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting, "The number of new COVID-19 cases, which had risen to 490,000 last week, has decreased to about 187,000 today," adding, "After 11 weeks, the Omicron wave has passed its peak and is gradually shifting to a downward trend." The number of confirmed cases on this day was about 22,000 fewer compared to a week earlier on the 21st.

However, the situation remains concerning due to the rising number of severe cases and deaths and the spread of BA.2. Minister Kwon explained, "The Omicron subvariant 'BA.2', known as stealth Omicron, is spreading rapidly worldwide," and "The domestic detection rate of stealth Omicron reached 56.3% last week, making it the dominant strain." He added, "Considering there are hidden infections where people avoid testing even when symptomatic, more careful observation is needed to confirm whether Omicron is truly on the decline."

On this day, the number of severe cases was 1,273, an increase of 143 from 1,130 on the 21st a week earlier. The domestic BA.2 share also exceeded 50%, rising from 22.9% in the first week of March, to 26.3% in the second week, 41.4% in the third week, and 56.3% in the fourth week of March.

In particular, infections are spreading among the elderly aged 60 and above, who are at higher risk of severe illness. Minister Kwon said, "The proportion of those aged 60 and above, which was below 10% in early February, reached 20.9% yesterday; surpassing 20% for the first time in three months," and added, "Severe cases and deaths among those aged 60 and above account for 84.9% and 94.9%, respectively."

The government emphasized that it is making every effort to minimize the increase in severe cases and deaths. Face-to-face treatment for home care patients will be expanded so that confirmed cases can receive primary care at virtually all hospitals and clinics. Minister Kwon said, "We have secured a total of 263 outpatient treatment centers for face-to-face care of home treatment patients," and added, "We will expand the application targets for outpatient treatment centers to all hospitals and clinics and simplify the application procedures to ensure smooth face-to-face treatment for diseases other than COVID-19." Accordingly, hospital-level facilities can apply starting from the 30th of this month, and clinic-level facilities from the 4th of next month.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce a total of 460,000 doses of oral antiviral treatments by the end of April. Prescriptions for Merck & Company (MSD)'s Lagevrio began on the 26th, and the introduction of the antibody treatment 'Evusheld', used for immunocompromised individuals who have difficulty forming immunity through vaccination, is also under consideration.

Minister Kwon emphasized, "Please be especially mindful that the rates of severe illness and death among the unvaccinated are approximately 33 times and 21 times higher, respectively, compared to those fully vaccinated," and stressed, "To curb the large-scale spread of Omicron, it is essential to comply with personal quarantine measures such as wearing masks, washing hands, regular ventilation, and receiving the third vaccine dose."

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