"Possibility of COVID-19 Resurgence This Fall and Winter... Peak Around 150,000 Cases"

Korean Medical Association 'Future and Measures for COVID-19' Seminar
Need for Large-Scale Investigation of Immunity in Infected Patients
No Need for Excessive Fear
Suggestions Including Administration of Therapeutics for Critical Patients

On the 12th, the seminar "Post Covid-19: The Future and Measures of COVID-19 After the Omicron Pandemic," hosted by the Korean Medical Association, was held.
[Photo by YouTube live broadcast capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] As projections indicate that there will be a resurgence of COVID-19 cases this fall and winter at around 150,000 cases, experts have suggested that infrastructure and systems capable of managing high-risk groups such as the elderly and immunocompromised, as well as critically ill patients, must be established.

At the seminar titled 'Post Covid-19: The Future and Measures of COVID-19 After the Omicron Pandemic' hosted by the Korean Medical Association on the afternoon of the 12th, Jeong Tong-ryeong, head of the Disease Control Headquarters' General Coordination Team, stated, "We expect stability until summer, but there is a possibility of a resurgence in the fall and winter seasons," adding, "Current estimates predict a peak at around 150,000 cases."

Jeong explained, "If 150,000 cases occur, it is not a small number," and added, "Since suppressing confirmed cases again will not be easy, measures to minimize deaths are necessary, and the most important factor will likely be vaccination strategy." He continued, "With herd immunity levels having increased, we need to prepare for how to respond to the winter surge in the remaining months," and said, "We aim to prepare well by establishing policies based on precise and advanced analyses using extensive data."

The need to investigate the immunity of individuals previously infected with COVID-19 was also raised. Professor Kim Jae-seok of the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital emphasized, "(As COVID-19 becomes endemic,) the vulnerability of the elderly could be problematic," and added, "I believe a large-scale survey is necessary to determine the extent of immunity among those already infected."

Experts also expressed that there is no need for excessive fear regarding the resurgence. Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Ewha Mokdong Hospital explained, "The reinfection rate is reported to be about 0.3 to 1%. In many cases, it is asymptomatic or mild." She added, "With hybrid immunity (immunity acquired through vaccination plus natural infection) being the highest in our country, we could be the first nation to reach 'endemic' status," and said, "If the government avoids situations where citizens cannot receive treatment as during the Delta and Omicron variants, indoor mask mandates could be reconsidered next year."

Furthermore, active use of therapeutics in future responses was also urged. Professor Choi Won-seok of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Ansan Hospital stated, "From a practical standpoint, repeated social distancing will be difficult," and added, "Maximizing the effectiveness of therapeutics and vaccines is crucial to reducing social impact and damage." Professor Cheon also pointed out, "The key is how quickly therapeutics can be administered to critically ill patients. The high death toll during the Delta and Omicron waves was due to delayed therapeutic administration," and emphasized, "The system must be set up now so that all hospitals can access it."

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