As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) ‘omicron mutation’ becomes the dominant species in Korea, the number of new confirmed cases on the 25th is expected to record around 9,000, the largest number since the outbreak of Corona 19. On the 24th, the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters announced that the detection rate of Omicron mutations in Korea was 50.3% last week (16th-22nd). Omicron mutation has exceeded 50% in 52 days since December 1, last year, when it was first confirmed in Korea. Compared to the existing ‘delta mutation’, which became the dominant species in 89 days, it was 1.7 times faster.
According to quarantine authorities and local governments, the number of new confirmed cases tentatively counted from 00:00 to 9PM on the 24th was 7,700, close to the previous high of December 15th (7848). As of 00:00 on the 25th, it is expected that the number will exceed 8,000, more than double the number of the previous week’s Tuesday (4070). It is the same trend overseas, where the number of confirmed cases doubled every week as the omicron mutation led the fashion. Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom said on the same day, “If you travel during the Lunar New Year holiday (29th – February 2), you are pouring oil into a burning fire.”
It is pointed out that the government’s response system for Omicron is insufficient when the situation is urgent. A representative example is the lack of preparation for the ‘respiratory clinic’, which is the key to responding to Omicron mutations. In preparation for an explosion in the number of confirmed cases, the government ordered a respiratory clinic installed in a local hospital to take charge of rapid antigen testing and primary treatment for patients suspected of Corona 19. Starting from the 26th, this system will be started from regions where Omicron mutation is dominant, such as Gwangju, Jeonnam, Anseong, Gyeonggi, and Pyeongtaek. Jung Eun-kyung, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, “We are preparing to expand the (Omicron preparedness system) nationwide from the end of January to early February at the earliest.”
However, as a result of an analysis of 579 respiratory clinics nationwide (as of 5 pm on the 20th) by the Dong-A Ilbo reporting team, there were only 19 places that could provide treatment on both Saturday and Sunday. There are concerns about the weekend medical vacancy in most areas. Of the 229 local governments nationwide, 20 did not have a dedicated respiratory clinic. There is a big gap between the situation in the field and President Moon Jae-in’s emphasis on the same day, “We must quickly switch to the Omicron response system and respond.”
Correspondent Cho Kyeon-hee becom@donga.com
Reporter Lee Ji-woon easy@donga.com
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