5 Additional Cases of Variant Virus Confirmed Domestically... "Domestic Transmission Is a Matter of Time" (Update)

4 Additional Cases of UK Variant and 1 Case of South African Variant Confirmed, Total 39
Community Transmission Linked to Foreign Relative Clusters in Gyeongnam and Jeonnam

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Five additional cases of variant viruses known to have higher transmissibility than the existing COVID-19 have been confirmed in South Korea. Concerns are rising as this is the first time community transmission cases have been identified.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 3rd, "After analyzing 27 virus samples since the 1st of this month, a total of five variant viruses were confirmed, including four cases of the UK variant and one case of the South African variant," adding, "The cumulative number of variant virus cases confirmed domestically has increased to 39." The variant viruses were detected in Gumi, Gyeongbuk; Gimhae and Yangsan, Gyeongnam; and Naju, Jeonnam.

The Disease Control Headquarters emphasized, "Domestic transmission of variant viruses is a matter of time," and urged, "As the likelihood of variant virus introduction continues to rise, contact with family members of incoming travelers should be minimized."

Among the newly confirmed variant virus cases, four are related to a cluster outbreak among foreign relatives in the Gyeongnam and Jeonnam regions. These individuals visited the homes of incoming travelers under self-quarantine, and since the first confirmed case on the 7th of last month, a total of 38 people have tested positive as of the 29th.

According to authorities, a foreign national who entered from the United Arab Emirates at the end of last year tested positive for COVID-19 during a pre-release test on the 7th of last month. Subsequently, relatives who visited this individual during the self-quarantine period were sequentially confirmed positive. All related confirmed cases are foreigners. Authorities believe the virus spread through additional relative gatherings and business meetings involving these visiting relatives. Of the 38 confirmed cases, 36 are relatives of the first confirmed patient, and the remaining two are acquaintances.

Park Young-jun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Disease Control Headquarters, stated, "The index patient lived in a detached house and self-quarantined on the second floor, while other family members lived on the first floor. Although direct contact between the first and second floors could not be confirmed, we are considering the possibility of transmission occurring while sharing the same space."

Notably, this case marks the first instance of variant virus transmission to non-cohabiting family members, causing heightened alertness among authorities. They also consider the possibility of variant virus infections among other confirmed patients.

Currently, whole genome sequencing analysis for all 38 related confirmed cases has not yet been completed. Additionally, the number of contacts of these confirmed cases approaches 200. Authorities have identified 49 close contacts and 136 other contacts so far.

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