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As the Omicron mutation spreads rapidly, the number of new confirmed cases is expected to exceed 10,000 today (26th). The record is changing every day, and quarantine authorities predicted that if the share of Omicron increases to about 90% next month, there could be more than 20,000 to 30,000 confirmed cases per day.



Correspondent Kim Hye-min.



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From 00:00 to 9pm yesterday, 9,218 people across the country were tested positive for COVID-19.



This is the highest number of new confirmed cases announced every day as of 00:00, and the number of new cases to be announced today is expected to record 10,000 for the first time in history.



The quarantine authorities predicted that the share of Omicron will exceed 90% within this month, and that the number of confirmed cases per day will reach 20,000 to 30,000 next month.



Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom, given the high rate of tertiary vaccination in the high-risk group in Korea, put more weight on the fact that it will peak at around 30,000 people rather than some predictions that it could exceed 100,000.



The number of patients with severe cases fell to around 300 in 81 days.



However, if there are tens of thousands of confirmed cases per day, it is highly likely to return to an increasing trend in 2-3 weeks.



The quarantine authorities have lowered some standards so that they can manage the rapidly increasing number of at-home healers within the domestic medical capacity.



For those who have been vaccinated, the quarantine period will be reduced from 10 days to 7 days.



Those who have not been vaccinated will have an additional three-day self-quarantine period after the seven-day quarantine.



[Choi Jong-gyun/Chief of Home Treatment Team at Central Accident Remediation Headquarters: (Self-quarantine) means that those who have not been vaccinated at home, who have not been vaccinated, should not go out and voluntarily stay at home for 3 days.



] within 90 days of receiving the first dose or 14 days after the second dose.



The government said that one out of two people had completed the third vaccination, and decided to proceed with the vaccination through reservation even during the Lunar New Year holidays.



In addition, in order to increase the use of oral medicines, we are reviewing a plan to expand the prescription target from 60 years old to 50 years old and older again.