The country could see up to 30-thousand daily COVID-19 cases next month as the omicron variant is projected to account for over 90 percent of new cases in the coming weeks.

Senior health ministry official Son Young-rae told CBS radio Tuesday, that with the omicron variant spreading two to three times faster than delta, a surge is unavoidable and the country could see 30-thousand or more new cases a day going forward.

When asked about recent projections that some countries will reach herd immunity after peaking with omicron, Son said a similar phenomenon could be expected in South Korea.

Health authorities later echoed his claim, predicting that COVID-19 will stabilize once the peak in omicron cases passes.

An omicron-focused response system will be introduced starting Wednesday in four high-risk regions - Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, Pyeongtaek and Anseong. 

Son said discussions are under way to expand the measures nationwide sometime after Lunar New Year.