First Confirmation of 'Variant Virus' Domestically

Three Family Members Confirmed Positive Upon Entry from the UK
70% More Contagious Than Previous Strains

On the morning of the 28th, an overseas arrival wearing protective clothing is waiting at the arrival hall of Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport.

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol and Kim Heung-soon] For the first time in South Korea, the UK variant of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has been confirmed in a confirmed patient. The variant virus first reported in the UK is known to be much more infectious than the existing virus, prompting countries around the world to strengthen entry restrictions.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 28th, "Whole genome analysis of samples from three COVID-19 confirmed patients who arrived from the UK on the 22nd confirmed the UK variant virus." They were a family living in London, UK, who tested positive during the COVID-19 diagnostic test conducted upon entry and were in isolation.

The variant virus discovered in the UK is known to be about 70% more transmissible than the existing virus and infects children more easily. It has not yet been definitively verified whether it affects severity or neutralizes the effectiveness of vaccines.

Security personnel are controlling vehicles at the entrance of Dover Port in southern England on the 21st (local time). The French government prohibited the entry of vehicles and personnel through Dover Port for 48 hours starting from midnight on the 20th (local time).

This is the first time the UK variant virus has been confirmed in South Korea. Following its detection in European countries adjacent to the UK and North America, it has recently been confirmed one after another in Asian countries as well. In Japan, eight people, including a pilot who bypassed quarantine and his family, have been confirmed as infected with the variant virus until recently.

In addition to the family confirmed in South Korea this time, another family of four who arrived from the UK on the 8th and 13th is also being analyzed to determine if they are infected with the variant virus. Among them, one man in his 80s was confirmed positive after passing away on the 26th at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, and subsequently, three family members also tested positive.

To block the domestic inflow of the variant virus, the government suspended flights departing from London Heathrow Airport to Incheon International Airport starting from the 23rd. All arrivals from the UK are required to undergo diagnostic testing before release from quarantine. Since the variant virus has also been detected in South Africa, entry screening for fever has been strengthened for arrivals from South Africa, and additional testing before release from quarantine will be implemented.

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