Can Omicron be managed like seasonal flu? I checked it myself

<Anchor> When

Omicron subsides, the government is considering a plan to lower the class of infectious diseases and manage Corona like seasonal flu in the future.

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

[Cho Dong-chan / Medical reporter (specialist): Yes, even in the government announcement, there is a mixture of confidence and concern.

Let's see the government briefings on the same day in turn.] [Son Young-rae/Ministry of Welfare

Spokesperson

(last 15th): Seasonal flu also causes at least 2,500 deaths and at most 5,000 deaths per year.]

General Manager (last 15th): If not vaccinated, the fatality rate of Omicron is 5 times that of seasonal flu...

]

[Cho Dong-chan/Medical Reporter (specialist): We need to check several indicators to see if it really can be managed like seasonal flu, or if it's just a seasonal flu because it can't be managed.]

[Cho Dong-chan / Medical reporter (specialist): First, we have to compare the fatality rate with the flu, and also look at how many deaths have increased compared to before Corona, that is, the excess mortality, which means direct and indirect effects.

This is a comparison of fatalities by age analyzed by Professor Oh Myung-don at Seoul National University Hospital.

The seasonal flu fatality rate was compared with Japanese data, as there were no Korean data.

It was higher than the flu only in those over 80, and similar in those under 80.

Let's hear it for yourself.]

[Myeong-don Oh / Department of Infectious Diseases, Seoul National University Hospital (Chairman of Emerging Infectious Diseases): The fatality rate of COVID-19 patients in Korea is 0.07% in their 60s and 0.33% in their 70s, which is close to the influenza fatality rate.]

[Cho Dong-chan / Medical reporter ( Specialist): Even if the fatality rate is the same, if there are many patients, the death toll will inevitably increase.

So we have to look at the excess mortality rate.

Those aged 65-74 years saw the largest increase.

That's more than the 80-year-old who has the highest fatality rate.

It is analyzed that, unlike those over 80, those aged 65 to 74 have been actively involved in social activities.

People under the age of 65 were similar to seasonal flu, but in the end, there are indicators that people over 65 should not be treated like the flu.]

[Cho Dong-chan / Medical reporter (specialist): If it can be separated, if It would be nice, but in reality it would be difficult.

But if that's difficult, it means you can't control the flu yet.

Because the most important thing is to prevent excess deaths.

However, it is also important to get rid of the excessive fear of Omicron because there are a lot of deaths that do not receive proper treatment because they are too afraid of Omicron's confirmed patients.]

(Video Edit: Soyoung Lee, CG: Sohee Ban)

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