Emergency in Quarantine Due to Omicron Spread
5 Confirmed Variant Cases with Additional Possibility
5,266 New Cases and 733 Severe Cases at Highest Levels
On the 2nd, as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 5,266, breaking daily records, citizens who visited the screening clinic set up at Gangseo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul were waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporters Seo So-jeong and Lim Cheol-young] With five confirmed cases of the new COVID-19 variant ‘Omicron’ in South Korea, the country is on high alert for epidemic control. The government is expected to announce measures equivalent to Level 4 social distancing as early as the 3rd.
According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 2nd, as of midnight, the number of new confirmed cases reached 5,266, breaking the daily record. The number of critically ill patients also increased by 10 from the previous day to 733. Among them, 613 are aged 60 or older, accounting for 83.6% of the elderly patient ratio. ICU beds in the metropolitan area have already reached their limit. There are a total of 915 patients waiting for ICU beds for more than one day in the metropolitan area, with 377 waiting for more than four days.
The government is expected to announce strengthened distancing measures as early as the 3rd, including reducing the size of private gatherings in the metropolitan area and limiting the number of unvaccinated people in restaurants and cafes. It is also considering bans on gatherings at entertainment facilities and restrictions on operating hours for multi-use facilities. A Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters official said, "We are reviewing all measures at the previous Level 4 social distancing level," adding, "Reducing the number of private gathering participants will definitely be included, and we are also considering restrictions on operating hours and bans on gatherings."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to expand the number of beds in municipal hospitals from 2,688 to 4,099. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon explained, "In addition to the four municipal hospitals fully dedicated to infectious diseases, we will use as many beds as possible for infectious disease response through a phased process, including Seoul Medical Center and Seoul Boramae Hospital."
In cooperation with private hospitals, an additional 1,218 beds will be secured. In particular, ‘maternal specialized beds’ for pregnant patients will be designated, operating 9 beds across 4 hospitals, and a ‘base living treatment center’ will also be operated. One university dormitory will be newly opened as a living treatment center with 520 beds, and negotiations are underway to secure additional hotels.
Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "It is highly likely that Omicron infections have already spread throughout the community," and added, "In addition to strengthening social distancing, the quarantine pass should be expanded to restaurants and cafes."
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