[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The cumulative number of deaths related to the nationwide Omicron COVID-19 variant has been confirmed at six. The cumulative number of critically ill patients is seven.
On the afternoon of the 17th, Park Youngjun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), stated, "This week, a total of two confirmed cases and four epidemiologically linked cases were identified, totaling six deaths," adding, "Most were confirmed to have underlying health conditions."
Park added, "The reported deaths occurred in one case in Gyeonggi Province and five cases in Gwangju," and explained, "The case in Gyeonggi Province was an imported case from overseas, while the cases in Gwangju were confirmed to be part of a cluster outbreak in a local nursing hospital." Among them, one had completed the third vaccination, three had completed only the second vaccination, one had completed only the first vaccination, and one was unvaccinated.
The health authorities reiterated the importance of vaccination. Hong Jeongik, head of the Vaccination Management Team at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Group, said, "For those who have completed the second dose, the third dose is the best way to prevent Omicron. Research results show that the third dose provides sufficient protection against infection, severe illness, and death from Omicron," and urged, "Those who have completed the second dose and are eligible for the third dose are strongly recommended to receive it promptly."
Regarding the recent surge of the Omicron variant in the United States, where the rate of critically ill patients among the general population reached 76 per one million, Lee Sangwon, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the CDCH, explained, "It is correct to consider that the rate of critical illness caused by the Omicron variant is about three to four times lower than that of Delta," but added, "The situation in the U.S. and South Korea may differ."
Lee said, "The vaccination rate in the U.S. is lower than ours, but the number of people who have been infected is much higher. About 20% of the U.S. population has already been infected," and continued, "It is unclear whether natural immunity or vaccination provides better protection, but in South Korea, the vaccination rate is somewhat higher than in the U.S., and social conditions differ, so the outcome regarding critical illness rates may be different."
Last week, the domestic detection rate of the Omicron variant was 26.7%, more than double the previous week's 12.5%, showing a very rapid spread. According to the CDCH on the day, from the 9th to the 15th, a total of 2,679 new Omicron infections were confirmed nationwide, with 1,363 imported cases and 1,316 domestic infections. As of midnight on the 15th, the cumulative number of Omicron infections reached 5,030.
Notably, among imported confirmed cases, a staggering 94.7% were confirmed as the Omicron variant. It is analyzed that the variant is rapidly spreading in the Gyeonggi and Honam regions through cluster infections among foreign groups such as the U.S. Forces Korea.
Additionally, regarding the sharp increase in cases centered around Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, where a U.S. military base is located, Lee said, "About one-third of the cases in Gyeonggi Province over the past few days occurred in Pyeongtaek," but added, "The spread of Omicron is not a problem confined to any one region; it is not surprising if it occurs anywhere nationwide. Going forward, the spread of the variant will accelerate regardless of whether it is in the metropolitan area or non-metropolitan areas."
Meanwhile, concerning the 39 patients who have been prescribed Pfizer's oral treatment Paxlovid since the 14th, it was reported that "the patients' conditions have improved, and none are currently in critical condition."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
