Three More Infections of UK-Origin Variant Virus Confirmed... Existing Confirmed Case's Family (Update)

The number of variant strain infections in Korea rises to 15... 14 from the UK, 1 from South Africa

Image source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Three additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 infected with the variant virus originating from the UK have been identified in South Korea. Previously, a family infected with the variant virus who arrived from the UK last month was reported by health authorities as "the first domestic case transmitted from an existing infected person without overseas entry," while stating that "no community contact has been confirmed yet."

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 7th, the variant virus originating from the UK was detected in samples from three family members of a confirmed COVID-19 patient who arrived from the UK on the 19th of last month and was confirmed to be infected with the variant virus. The initial confirmed patient was identified as infected with the UK variant virus on the 2nd while under self-quarantine.

Health authorities estimate that the three additional infected family members were infected during the self-quarantine period. Additionally, there is one more contact (family member), and sample analysis for this family is also underway.

Kwon Jun-wook, the second deputy director of the CDCH, said, "We are investigating the possibility that transmission occurred as the family members traveled together in the same vehicle after the initial confirmed patient’s arrival." Gwak Jin, head of the CDCH patient management team, stated, "According to the epidemiological investigation so far, no additional contacts in the community outside the family have been identified."

As a result, the total number of cases infected with variant viruses circulating in the UK and South Africa has increased to 15 in South Korea. There are 14 cases of infection originating from the UK and 1 case from South Africa.

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