Jung Jae-hoon "Confirmed cases to surge in next 5-8 weeks... Peak over 100,000"

"Nearly 100% Increase in Confirmed Cases Compared to Last Week"
"This Rate of Increase Expected to Continue for the Time Being"

Citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 26th, when the number of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 10,000 for the first time due to the spread of Omicron. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Amid a surge in domestic COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, experts have predicted that the number of confirmed cases could continue to increase for the next 5 to 8 weeks, potentially reaching over 100,000 new cases per day at its peak.

On the 27th, Professor Jung Jaehoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine stated at the Central Disease Control Headquarters' 'Omicron Variant Response Briefing' that "The Omicron variant has very high transmissibility and developed vaccine evasion capabilities," adding, "Based on the consensus among experts, the increase in confirmed cases could be very large for the next 5 to 8 weeks."

He explained, "Looking at the rate of increase in confirmed cases this week compared to last week, the number of cases has nearly doubled this week compared to last week," and added, "This rate of increase is expected to continue for the time being, and experts anticipate the peak to be around 100,000 or more."

Professor Jung also predicted that the increase in confirmed cases would not correspond to a proportional rise in critically ill patients. He said, "The severity rate of the Omicron variant has significantly decreased. Third-dose vaccinations are underway, and oral antiviral treatments are being supplied," adding, "The rate of increase in critically ill patients will be somewhat lower than with the Delta variant." However, he expressed concern that "At the peak of the outbreak, the capacity to respond to critically ill patients could be tested to its limits."

Meanwhile, as the Omicron wave intensifies, the number of new confirmed cases in Korea has been setting daily records. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 27th, the number of new confirmed cases reached 14,518, marking a new daily high. This is an increase of 1,508 cases from the previous day's 13,010.