"Omicron Fatality Rate at Seasonal Flu Level... Gathering Opinions on Social Distancing Adjustments"

The fatality rate in the past 4 weeks is below 0.1%... Social Distancing to Be Discussed at the Daily Recovery Support Committee on the 16th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The quarantine authorities announced that the fatality rate of COVID-19 remains at the level of seasonal influenza. Discussions on the social distancing guidelines, which are set to end on the 20th, will begin on the 16th.

At the regular briefing on the 15th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), responded to the question, "With more than 200 deaths per day, is the fatality rate still at the level of the flu?" by saying, "The fatality rate over the past four weeks has been below 0.1%, so the short-term fatality rate is currently similar to that of seasonal influenza." The fatality rate of seasonal influenza is around 0.05 to 0.1%.

Son added, "The annual number of deaths from seasonal influenza can reach up to 5,000, and deaths from pneumonia number in the tens of thousands," emphasizing the need to compare and analyze the overall death toll from COVID-19 with that of other diseases.

The CDSCH explained that the goal of the Omicron response system is to minimize severe cases and deaths rather than suppress the total number of confirmed cases. Park Hyang, head of the Quarantine General Division at CDSCH, stated, "At the peak of Omicron, the US recorded up to 1.2 million cases, France had 500,000 cases, and their cumulative fatality rates were 1.21 and 0.61 respectively. In Korea, the cumulative fatality rate is around 0.15 and is gradually decreasing."

However, since increases in confirmed cases have historically led to rises in severe cases and deaths after a time lag, the number of severe and fatal cases may continue to increase even after the peak of the outbreak. Son predicted, "The number of severe and fatal cases is expected to continue rising for 2 to 3 weeks after the peak."

Despite this outlook, the quarantine authorities explained that the capacity to respond to severe cases remains stable. Park claimed, "Currently, stable response is possible for up to 2,000 severe patients, and with efficient hospital bed management, we can handle up to about 2,500."

On the day of the report, the number of severe cases reached 1,196 and deaths reached 293, both record highs. The authorities expect the outbreak to peak between the 16th and 22nd.

Meanwhile, as the current social distancing measures are set to end on the 20th, the authorities plan to gather opinions on adjustments to the distancing guidelines through a written meeting of the Daily Recovery Support Committee on the 16th. Currently, private gatherings are limited to six people, and operating hours for multi-use facilities are restricted until 11 p.m.