COVID-19 'Severe Cases' Back to 400s... "Up to 200 Deaths Per Day Possible" (Summary)

Confirmed Cases at 996 per 1 Million Population, Ranked 1st Worldwide
Additional Vaccination Rate for Ages 60+ Only 12.6%
After Peak of Outbreak, Up to 3,000 Deaths Possible by Year-End

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients hospitalized after testing positive has exceeded 400 for two consecutive days. The number of confirmed cases relative to the domestic population is also among the highest in the world. The health authorities are actively encouraging additional COVID-19 booster vaccinations and have decided to expand the eligibility for the preventive antibody injection called 'Evusheld.'

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 15th, as of midnight that day, 72,883 new COVID-19 cases were added, marking the highest number in 62 days since September 14 (93,949 cases). Compared to the previous day (23,765 cases), which reflected the weekend effect, this is 3.06 times higher, and compared to a week ago on the 8th (62,260 cases), it increased by 1,623 cases. As a result, the cumulative number of confirmed cases to date was tallied at 26,298,877.

On the 9th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and private researchers projected that during this winter's resurgence period, daily confirmed cases could reach between 50,000 and 200,000, but the lowest estimate of 50,000 has already been surpassed.

According to the international statistical analysis site 'Our World in Data,' the number of confirmed cases per million population in South Korea over the past week was 996 per day, the highest among countries with populations over 500,000. Following South Korea, Taiwan recorded 877 per million, Greece 845, Hong Kong 735, New Zealand 594, and Japan 578.

As the number of confirmed cases continues to rise, the number of critically ill and deceased patients is expected to increase further. The number of critically ill patients reached 413 the previous day, rising above 400 for the first time in 48 days since September 27 (401 patients), and recorded 412 on the day.

The number of deaths due to COVID-19 was reported as 39 on the day, following 44 the previous day. In the recent week (November 9?15), 328 people died from COVID-19, averaging about 47 deaths per day. Compared to the previous week (November 2?8) with 213 deaths, this is a 35.1% increase; compared to two weeks ago (October 26?November 1) with 191 deaths, a 54.0% increase; and more than double compared to three weeks ago (October 19?25).

However, the domestic booster vaccination rate remains sluggish, with the overall winter vaccination rate for those aged 60 and above at 110.8%, and the booster vaccination rate for those in their 60s who require additional doses at only 12.6%.

Experts expressed concern over the very low vaccination rate despite the rapid increase in critically ill and deceased patients. Jeong Gi-seok, head of the COVID-19 Special Response Team and member of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, stated the previous day, "So far this year, 24,000 people have died from COVID-19, and it is estimated to reach 27,000 by the end of the year. Especially, the fatality rate increases with age: 0.06% for those in their 60s, 0.11% for those in their 70s, and up to 1.03% for those in their 80s, so (elderly people) must get vaccinated during the winter season."

Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "If the current trend continues, the peak of the 7th wave could see 150 to 200 deaths per day," and emphasized, "(Health authorities) should fully inform the public about the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing severe illness and encourage vaccination by providing appropriate incentives to those vaccinated."

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team expanded the eligibility for Evusheld administration starting that day. Previously limited to severely immunocompromised patients with blood cancer, organ transplants, or congenital immunodeficiency, the target group now includes patients with solid tumors, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and rheumatism. Patients undergoing severe immunosuppressive treatments such as chemotherapy and B-cell depletion therapy are also eligible. Evusheld is an injection used preventively for people who are unlikely to develop antibodies from COVID-19 vaccination.

The period during which immunosuppressive treatment patients can apply for the injection was significantly extended from '2 to 4 months' to '6 months to 1 year.' The dosage was increased from 300 mg to 600 mg. Patients who previously received 300 mg can receive an additional 300 mg if less than three months have passed since the last dose, or 600 mg if more than three months have passed.

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