Authorities: "Domestic cluster outbreaks after May linked to GH Group... Imported from Europe and the US in March-April"

COVID-19 Central Disease Control Headquarters Regular Briefing
Genetic Sequence Analysis of 526 Virus Cases
Jung Eun-kyung: "Chungcheong and Honam Reproduction Number 1.34, Exceeding National Average"

On the 6th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) shows no signs of slowing down, banners related to social distancing and hand sanitizers were installed along the Jungnangcheon Stream walking trail in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The health authorities have revealed that most of the recent cluster outbreaks of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreading across the country are of the same type as the virus imported from the United States and Europe in March and April.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 6th the results of additional genetic sequence analysis of 526 virus samples detected from confirmed COVID-19 patients in Korea. The virus genetic information site operated by the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies virus types into groups S, V, L, G, GH, GR, and others. These groups are distinguished based on the type of amino acids in specific genes.

In the early stages of the outbreak, groups S and V were prevalent in Asia, including China. Recently, groups G, GR, and GH have been mainly circulating in Europe, North America, South America, and Africa. In Korea, groups S and V were primarily identified until the end of March. Early overseas import cases, repatriated citizens from Wuhan, and the Guro call center cluster belonged to group S, while the largest domestic cluster outbreaks such as Shincheonji Daegu Church, Cheongdo Daenam Hospital, Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, Seongnam Eunhyeui Gang Church, Guro Manmin Central Church, and Cheonan Zumba dance cluster were group V.

The cluster infection confirmed in early April in Yecheon, Gyeongbuk, and the Itaewon clubs in early May are classified as group GH. Most major clusters identified domestically since then fall into this category. Clusters in the metropolitan area such as the Coupang logistics center, Pioneer Church in the metropolitan area, Richway, and Yangcheon-gu sports facilities, as well as clusters in Daegu Dalseo-gu family, Daejeon door-to-door sales company, and Gwangju Gwangneuksa Temple, are all group GH. The Russian ship crew member who arrived at Busan Gamcheon Port last month was identified as group GR, indicating a virus different from other circulating clusters.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a briefing that "the outbreak centered around Daegu and Gyeongbuk in February and March can be considered mostly contained, and the recent circulation of group GH can be interpreted as the virus imported during the large number of arrivals from Europe and the United States in March and April now leading the recent outbreak." She added, "It is difficult to distinguish the source or route of infection based solely on the virus genotype, so there are limitations in interpreting how and where the transmission spread."

Meanwhile, regarding the recent increase in confirmed cases mainly in non-metropolitan areas, the health authorities judged that the reproduction number has risen in Daejeon and the Gwangju-Honam region. Head Jung said, "The real-time reproduction number nationwide over the past week is about 1.06, and about 1.34 in the Chungcheong and Honam regions," adding, "Currently, the Honam region has the highest risk of transmission."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.