US February · Europe March... "Omicron Will Peak"

Hans Kluge, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] In the United States and Europe, which were hit hard by the Omicron variant, the spread of COVID-19 is expected to peak in February and March respectively, signaling the approaching end of the pandemic.

Hans Kluge, head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, told AFP on the 23rd (local time), "More than 60% of the population in Europe could be infected with Omicron by March," but added, "We can see that we are moving toward the end of the pandemic."

Kluge said, "Once the surge of Omicron in Europe subsides, immunity will be established through vaccination or infection, leading to a quiet period lasting weeks or months," and "Even if COVID-19 returns around the end of the year, it may not reach pandemic levels."

This expectation is based on the fact that widespread infection and active vaccination have increased the proportion of the population with immunity, which will help suppress the spread.

In fact, Europe’s daily new cases peaked at 1.7 million on the 20th and have been gradually decreasing since. This trend is similar to South Africa, where Omicron first appeared and the crisis was resolved after rapid spread and quick decline.

Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
[Photo by Reuters]

Similar forecasts are emerging in the United States. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, predicted that the Omicron surge will reach its peak next month.

In an interview with ABC on the same day, Fauci said, "I am confident that most states will reach the peak of Omicron cases by mid-February," adding, "The situation looks good. I don’t want to be overconfident, but it seems we are heading in the right direction."

He also noted, "Looking at the Omicron spread patterns in South Africa, the UK, and Israel, the surge peaked and then dropped sharply," diagnosing that the U.S. Northeast and Midwest regions have already passed the peak and are entering a decline phase.

Fauci also expects that even if COVID-19 resurges, it will be controllable like the common flu. He explained, "The level of infection will be below the 'control threshold,'" and "While we cannot completely eliminate the virus, it will be reduced to a level where it is grouped with common respiratory infections that we know how to live with."

He added, "Even if new variants emerge, they will not cause societal disruption or widespread severe consequences that induce fear," but emphasized, "We must prepare for the worst-case scenario."