UK-Origin 'Variant Virus' Spreads Globally... Concerns Over Community Transmission

3 Confirmed Infections of Variant Virus in Korea
Government: "UK Flights Suspended... No Entry Ban"
Experts: "Possible Community Transmission... Genetic Testing Needed This Month"

Morning of the 28th at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 arrival hall.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Concerns are growing that the new coronavirus (COVID-19) 'variant virus' currently spreading in the United Kingdom could also spread within local communities in South Korea after being confirmed domestically.

The UK-origin variant virus is known to have a transmission rate 40-70% higher than the virus currently prevalent in South Korea, raising concerns that its introduction into local communities could place a significant burden on the quarantine system.

Experts have suggested that a comprehensive investigation is necessary by conducting genetic testing of confirmed virus cases domestically to assess the possibility that the variant virus has spread within the country.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 28th, among a family of four who entered the country from the UK on the 22nd, the variant virus was detected in samples from three members. They had been residing in London, UK, and the confirmed cases include two minor children and one parent in their 30s. They were diagnosed as positive during airport quarantine upon arrival and were isolated, having no contact with the local community.

The quarantine authorities expect that the possibility of domestic transmission of the variant virus from these individuals is almost none.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters (CARH) quarantine team, emphasized during a COVID-19 response briefing on the 29th, "Genetic testing is being conducted on confirmed cases, but the variant virus has only been detected in the family recently arrived from the UK, and no cases of the variant virus have been found among community infections. There was no opportunity for the virus to spread into the community."

However, since there were passengers and crew members who were in contact with them on the flight, the possibility of transmission cannot be completely ruled out. The quarantine authorities stated that investigations are underway regarding those who had contact with the family members on the flight.

On the 27th, a citizen is undergoing a test for the novel coronavirus infection at an 'Emergency Screening Clinic' in Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongbuk./Photo by Yonhap News

The variant virus has been confirmed to have penetrated various parts of the world. It has been detected in most European countries including Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, and France, and has also spread to the Middle East and North America, including Jordan, Lebanon, and Canada.

In Asia, the variant virus has been confirmed in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Notably, in Japan, as of the 27th, a total of eight variant virus infections have been recorded, with cases continuing to emerge. The Japanese government decided to suspend new entries of foreigners from all countries worldwide starting from the 28th to prevent the spread of the variant virus.

Our government has also decided to implement strengthened quarantine measures to prevent additional inflow of the variant virus. The government extended the suspension of flights from the UK, currently in effect, by one week until January 7 next year, and made it mandatory to submit a 'PCR (polymerase chain reaction) negative certificate' for travelers from South Africa, where the variant virus is also prevalent.

Additionally, considering that the variant virus has been found in other countries as well, all incoming travelers from abroad will be subject to a 14-day quarantine followed by additional diagnostic testing before release.

However, the government does not plan to implement a complete ban on foreign entries. Yoon stated at the CDCH briefing on the 28th, "There may be calls for a new entry ban on foreigners like in Japan, but the existing entry management is working effectively. We will proceed with strengthened measures in consultation with relevant ministries along this line."

Experts emphasize that the UK-origin variant virus may have already spread domestically, and measures such as genetic testing of confirmed virus cases are necessary.

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "The variant virus started in the UK in September and has now spread across Europe and Asia. Although the first confirmed cases in South Korea were three people who entered on the 22nd, there were people who entered from the UK before the 22nd, so there is a possibility that it has already spread domestically."

Professor Kim added, "Among about 20,000 confirmed cases in December domestically, only five underwent whole genome sequencing. Genetic testing of viruses confirmed this month should be conducted by region, age, and period to first assess whether the variant virus has already spread in the country or not."

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