Jungsubon "Confirmed Cases Decreasing... Severe and Critical Patients Likely Below 2,000"

Analysis of the Slowing Trend in Mortality Occurrence

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The quarantine authorities have reported that the COVID-19 outbreak is entering a declining phase and forecast that the number of critically ill patients will not exceed the initially expected 2,000 range.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said during an online briefing with the press corps on the 28th, "It is becoming clear that the number of confirmed cases is decreasing," adding, "However, we need to observe a bit longer to see how quickly the decline will occur and the scale and speed of it."

He also predicted that the number of critically ill patients would not rise to the initially expected 2,000. Son explained, "When analyzing the initial epidemic prediction model, it was estimated that the number of confirmed cases would reach a weekly average of 370,000, and about 3 to 4 weeks after the peak, the number of critically ill patients would reach around 2,000. However, looking at the current situation, the scale of confirmed cases has formed a peak slightly higher than predicted, while the number of critically ill patients is lower than the prediction model."

He continued, "According to the prediction, the number should have increased to around 1,500 by now, but the current number of critically ill patients is in the 1,200 range," adding, "The prediction model for critically ill patients is showing a slower increase than initially expected, so we believe it will not reach 2,000." However, preparations are being made assuming up to 2,000 cases.

Regarding the trend in deaths, Son said, "There is a slight decrease or slowing trend," explaining, "Considering that deaths are reflected 2 to 3 weeks after the scale of confirmed cases, the death pattern in the Omicron variant outbreak is not following the Delta variant pattern."

On adjustments to social distancing measures, he stated, "Since this Sunday is the end point, discussions on how to adjust will begin during this week."

Meanwhile, the number of new confirmed cases on the day was 187,213, a decrease of 130,917 from the previous day (318,130). On the other hand, the number of critically ill patients was 1,273, marking the highest ever, and deaths recorded 287.

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