KCDC: "Whole Genome Sequencing for Variant Virus Detection at 3.7% of Confirmed Cases... Not Lower Than Major Countries (Update)"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the risk of new coronavirus (COVID-19) variants increases, health authorities stated that the proportion of whole genome sequencing to identify COVID-19 variants is not lower compared to major countries.

On the 13th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said in a briefing by the Central Disease Control Headquarters, "From January to December last year, a total of 2,269 whole genome sequences were conducted, which accounts for 3.7% of total confirmed cases," adding, "The sequencing rate compared to confirmed cases is not lower than that of major countries."

Of the total 2,269 cases, 1,700 were domestic cases (3% of domestic confirmed cases), and 569 were imported cases (10.6% of imported confirmed cases).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the sequencing rates compared to confirmed cases are 5.3% in the United Kingdom, 3.9% in Japan, 0.3% in the United States, and 0.1% in Germany.

The KDCA stated, "For variant surveillance, whole genome sequencing is performed at an average rate of over 10% for imported cases, and the surveillance rate is increased according to national risk levels," adding, "Domestically, surveillance will continue focusing on cluster outbreaks to monitor variants."

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