Two Additional Cases of UK-Origin Variant Virus Infection Confirmed: "No Signs of Community Spread Yet" (Comprehensive)

Variant Strains Detected in Samples from UK Arrivals Last Month
Total of 12 Infections Confirmed, Including 11 from UK and 1 from South Africa

Image source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 infected with the UK-origin variant virus have been identified in South Korea.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 5th, the UK-origin variant virus was detected in samples from two confirmed cases who arrived from the UK on December 13 and 20 last year, respectively.

As a result, the total number of cases infected with variant viruses circulating in the UK and South Africa (Nam-Africa) in South Korea has increased to 12. Among them, 11 are infected with the UK-origin variant, and 1 with the South Africa-origin variant.

According to the CDCH, among the two additional confirmed cases of the UK-origin variant virus infection, one is a person in their 30s who arrived from the UK on the 13th of last month. After arriving home on the 14th, they were diagnosed positive through a test conducted by the local government. The health authorities conducted whole genome sequencing (NGS·Next Generation Sequencing) on this confirmed case and confirmed the variant virus infection the day before. So far, there have been no accompanying arrivals or additional contacts in the community identified.

The other case is a person in their 20s who arrived from the UK on the 20th of last month. The test conducted immediately after returning was negative, but COVID-19 symptoms appeared during home quarantine, leading to another test that came back positive on the 29th of last month. Subsequently, the health authorities confirmed the variant virus through whole genome sequencing the day before. Tests were also conducted on family contacts, who tested negative.

Lee Sang-won, head of the CDCH Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division, said, "Both individuals went through quarantine or self-isolation after quarantine, so there is no risk of additional transmission in the community." He added, "All 12 cases of the UK and South Africa variants discovered so far were found during quarantine or among contacts after entry. There are no signs of community spread yet."

However, regarding the confirmed case in their 30s who arrived earlier, it is known that they used the same flight as an 80-year-old who was later confirmed positive in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, and infected with the UK-origin variant virus. Therefore, there is a possibility of additional infections among passengers on that flight. Lee said, "While we cannot completely rule out the possibility of in-flight transmission, generally transmission occurs less in aircraft than in other spaces. Currently, the passengers are being managed as subjects of self-quarantine, and the analysis of whole genome sequencing results will be needed to compare and confirm the in-flight transmission aspect."

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