Authorities: "UK-Origin Variant Virus Possibly Transmitted Onboard... Crew Under Investigation" (Comprehensive)

Central Disease Control Headquarters Regular Briefing
"Passengers on the Same Aircraft Model Managed Within the Quarantine Network"

Flight information to the United Kingdom displayed on the departure board at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the morning of the 28th

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Among a family who entered the country from the UK, three members were confirmed to be infected with a variant of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). On the 28th, quarantine authorities stated that there is a possibility that transmission occurred onboard the aircraft, and they are investigating contacts including flight attendants.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a briefing that "Since they tested positive upon entry, there is a possibility of infectiousness during the flight," and added, "We are conducting additional investigations and tests on contacts."

She further explained, "Most overseas arrivals undergo self-quarantine in facilities, and since they are tested within three days after entry, passengers traveling together are managed within the basic quarantine and prevention system," and "Additional contact investigations and tests are being conducted for flight attendants."

Currently, all individuals entering the country from abroad must undergo separate facility or self-quarantine, and those arriving from certain countries are required to undergo diagnostic testing before release from quarantine. However, such measures do not apply to flight attendants or pilots beyond the basic quarantine procedures.

On the morning of the 28th, Vietnamese arrivals and others are waiting at the designated area in the arrival hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport.

Variant Virus Imported into Korea Confirmed in 3 out of 4 Family Members
Mild Symptoms such as Fever... "Transmission Faster Compared to Basic Virus"

Earlier, on the 22nd, a family of four residing in London, UK, entered the country and tested positive for COVID-19 at the airport. Among the parents over their 30s, one was confirmed positive, along with two children under 19. They are reported to be showing mild symptoms such as fever.

According to quarantine authorities, since the first COVID-19 patient was identified in Korea on January 20, a total of 1,640 viral genome sequences have been analyzed. Of these, 1,303 cases were domestic, and 337 were imported. The variant confirmed this time is mainly characterized by multiple mutations in the spike protein. Authorities explained that it shows mutations at the 501st amino acid in the receptor-binding domain (RBD), deletions at the 69th and 70th amino acids, and deletion at the 145th amino acid.

The Disease Control Headquarters stated, "The UK government has assessed that the transmissibility of the variant virus is faster compared to the existing virus," and "The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends enhanced surveillance and notes that further analysis is needed regarding clinical severity and vaccine efficacy."

To prevent the importation of the UK-origin variant virus, authorities have decided to strengthen quarantine measures for overseas arrivals. For those arriving from the UK and other countries where variant viruses have emerged and testing positive, whole genome sequencing is conducted to confirm the variant virus.

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