1~2 weeks lag with the trend of confirmed cases
400,000 daily confirmed cases
▲ Citizens are waiting for tests at the temporary screening center in Seoul Plaza on the morning of the 13th, when the number of new corona19 confirmed 350,000 was recorded. The Central Defense Response Headquarters announced that as of 00:00 on the same day, the number of confirmed cases increased by 35,190, bringing the total to 6,556,453. 2022.3.13 Yonhap News
This week, the COVID-19 pandemic enters its peak. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 13th, the number of confirmed cases at the peak was predicted to average between 295,000 and 372,000 per day.
The previous day there were 388,665 confirmed cases, and the number of new cases on that day was 35,190. If it approaches the peak, the daily number of confirmed cases might exceed 400,000. Although Omicron’s fatality rate is low, considering that the number of confirmed cases is increasing every day and there is a time lag of 1 to 2 weeks with the increase in severe cases and deaths, it is expected that the number of severe cases and deaths will increase rapidly for the time being.
As of 00:00 on the same day, there were 1,074 patients with severe cases in hospital, the fourth-digit number for the sixth day since the 8th. Considering the increase in the number of confirmed cases, there is a possibility that the number of severe cases will increase to around 2,000 this week. The death toll stood at 251, and the cumulative number exceeded 10,000 on the 12th the previous day. Even a simple calculation by multiplying the peak estimate of 372,000 people by the Omicron fatality rate (0.09%) might result in 300 to 400 deaths per day in the future.
If you look at the overall trend, the number of local confirmed cases of COVID-19 last week (6-12) increased 1.4 times from the previous week (February 27-March 5). Last week, the number of patients with severe serious illness also averaged 1,033 per day, 1.4 times higher than the previous week (761). The number of deaths from COVID-19 last week is 1.5 times the previous week (901 people) and 2.5 times the number two weeks ago (541 people). In particular, among all patients with severe severe disease, 368 people in their 80s or older, 323 people in their 70s, and 223 people in their 60s, 914 people in the elderly with a relatively high risk of death. As of 00:00 on the same day, the nationwide hospital operation rate for severe COVID-19 was 64.1%, and the cumulative fatality rate was 0.16%.
In addition, the government is planning to implement vaccinations for children aged 5-11 as the number of confirmed cases in children increases. Details on vaccination for children aged 5-11 will be announced at a briefing on the followingnoon of the 14th at the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters.
Senior Correspondent Park Chan-goo, Sejong
