New COVID-19 Cases to Surge Over Next 5-8 Weeks... Experts Predict Peak Above 100,000

Briefing with Bang Daebon and Omicron Response Experts
New Cases Double Compared to Last Week
100,000 Expected After Seol Holiday

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] As the Omicron variant rapidly spreads, the daily number of COVID-19 confirmed cases is projected to increase over the next 5 to 8 weeks, reaching 100,000 cases.

On the 27th, Professor Jung Jae-hoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine responded to a question about the spread after the Lunar New Year holiday during the 'Omicron Response Expert Briefing' held by the Central Disease Control Headquarters.

Professor Jung stated, "The Omicron variant has very high transmissibility and developed vaccine evasion capabilities," adding, "Based on the consensus among experts, the growth rate will remain very high for about 5 to 8 weeks."

He continued, "You can easily understand this by looking at the rate of increase in confirmed cases this week compared to last week," explaining, "This week, the number of confirmed cases has nearly doubled compared to last week, and this rate of increase is expected to continue for the time being." He added, "Many experts agree that the period of increase will be 5 to 8 weeks, and the peak scale is expected to exceed approximately 100,000 cases."

However, Professor Jung predicted that the increase in daily confirmed cases will not necessarily lead to a rise in critically ill patients. Nevertheless, he warned that if the absolute number of critically ill patients increases, there could be limits to critical care treatment capacity.

Professor Jung said, "The third dose vaccination is underway, and oral antiviral treatments are being supplied. Compared to the spread of the Delta variant, the increase in critically ill patients is expected to be somewhat lower," but he also noted, "If the outbreak reaches its peak, it could test our capacity to respond to critically ill patients."