Omicron is rather a 'escape' from the corona crisis?... Things to watch out for

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Let's summarize this with Cho Dong-chan, a medical professional reporter.

[Cho Dong-chan / Medical reporter (specialist): A German expert surprised the world by expressing that Omicron can be a Christmas gift that will speed up the end of Corona if the fatality rate is low.

The reason for this is that in South Africa, where Omicron has become the dominant species, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has been rising so steeply since the beginning of November, when Omicron is counted as the time when Omicron spread in earnest.

But let's look at the number of deaths per million people.

It is lower than that of Germany and the United States, where delta variation is dominant, of course, Korea.

South Africa remains at its lowest level since the coronavirus pandemic.

However, if the delta took about 10 days to deteriorate, but if the omicron took 20 days, the current situation may be temporary.

That's why we're telling you to keep an eye on it.]

[Cho Dong-chan / Medical Correspondent (specialist): A research team at the University of Washington in the United States discovered for the first time in the world that Omicron's antibody treatment did not work well through genetic mutation analysis.

The same research team analyzed the characteristics of the mutated genes of Omicron, and assumed that the genetic mutations of Omicron seem to have evolved in an advantageous way.

From the point of view of the virus, it is advantageous because it can reproduce for a long time when the transmission power is strong and the fatality rate is low.

If Omicron defeats Delta with high propagation power and has a low fatality rate like a cold, it could really be a Christmas present.

However, it is at a very early stage of a hypothetical level, so further research remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, it is clearly different from Delta, which appeared with a high fatality rate from the beginning.

4 out of 5 confirmed cases of Omicron in Korea, 1 is asymptomatic, and 1 is mild.]

[Cho Dong-chan / Medical reporter (specialist): The fire that has fallen on our feet right now is the delta.

Today, more than 700 critically ill patients and 47 deaths are all delta mutations.

Preventing critically ill patients with delta mutations is the most urgent task.

The third vaccination is most urgent for the elderly over 60.]

▶ Five confirmed cases of Omicron in Korea…

Hundreds of suspected contacts

▶ All domestic and foreign entrants are quarantined for 10 days...

Will the sky road close again?