Authorities "Apologize for Variant Spread Due to Self-Quarantine Rule Violations... Domestic Antibody Prevalence Only 0.09%"

Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Regarding the cluster infections of domestic COVID-19 variant viruses, health authorities have identified violations of self-quarantine rules as the cause and announced plans to discuss additional strengthening measures. Meanwhile, a survey conducted last year revealed that the domestic antibody prevalence rate was only 0.09%, which is lower compared to foreign countries.

Park Young-jun, head of the Epidemiological Investigation Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a regular briefing held on the afternoon of the 4th that, concerning the cluster infection cases among foreign relatives in Gyeongnam and Jeonnam, "We believe there were elements of (self-quarantine) rule violations based on epidemiological and circumstantial evidence."

On the afternoon of the 3rd, arrivals at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 were moving according to airport quarantine procedures. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), analysis of the genomes of 27 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country since the 1st of this month revealed variant viruses in 5 cases. In particular, concerns are rising as this day marked the first confirmation of community cluster transmission of a variant virus known to be more contagious than the existing novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to health authorities, five additional cases of domestic variant viruses have been confirmed since the 1st of this month, bringing the total to 39 cases since October last year. Notably, among the newly confirmed five cases, four were identified as UK-origin variant viruses introduced into the local community. These include two cases in Yangsan City, Gyeongnam, one in Gimhae City, and one in Naju City, Jeonnam. All four are presumed to have been infected after visiting the home of an index patient who was under self-quarantine, related to the cluster of 38 confirmed cases among foreign relatives in Gyeongnam and Jeonnam since the first confirmed case on the 7th of last month.

Regarding this, Team Leader Park said, "The index patient in this case entered the country on December 25th last year, tested negative on the 26th, and reported that self-quarantine was continuously maintained." He added, "When relatives who had contact with the family were tested, they were found positive." He further explained that the house in question is a two-story detached house, and the related individuals stated that "the self-quarantined person stayed only on the second floor. The rest of the family lived only on the first floor, and the visiting relatives met other family members on the first floor before leaving."

Park stated, "Based on the fact that the visit occurred during that period, we are estimating that there might have been shortcomings or violations during the self-quarantine compliance process," and added, "From an epidemiological and circumstantial perspective, we currently believe there were shortcomings and rule violations." However, he noted, "It is difficult to objectively prove violations because there are no records available within the household."

Kwon Jun-wook, the second deputy head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, also reiterated, "It is correct that the self-quarantine rules were violated," emphasizing that "cohabitants must strictly maintain a distance of at least 2 meters and adhere to non-face-to-face principles, and any external visitors must have approval from health authorities." He expressed regret as the health authorities responsible for final management and supervision and said, "We will prepare practical and feasible self-quarantine rules to ensure more perfect compliance and provide additional updates."

On the 3rd, citizens are waiting in line to receive diagnostic tests at the Yeongdeungpo-gu Public Health Center screening clinic in Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Meanwhile, the briefing also announced the results of an antibody survey conducted last year by health authorities to assess the level of herd immunity in domestic communities related to COVID-19.

First, the nationwide survey results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey antibody test showed that the domestic antibody prevalence rate (antibody positive) was only about 0.09%. Out of 5,284 total subjects, only five tested positive for antibodies. Notably, two of these had never been previously diagnosed as confirmed cases.

Deputy Head Kwon explained, "The domestic COVID-19 antibody prevalence rate is generally lower compared to foreign countries." According to the World Health Organization (WHO) seroepidemiological report released on the 21st of last month, the antibody prevalence rate in 398 regions worldwide was below 10%. He added, "This is considered a result of the public's good cooperation with quarantine management," but also noted, "Undiagnosed infections among antibody-positive individuals confirm the presence of asymptomatic infections within the community."

Separately, antibody tests conducted on 9,954 army recruits showed 31 (0.31%) antibody-positive cases, of which 18 were previously undiagnosed. Among 2,350 residents and 302 medical staff in the first wave areas of Daegu and Gyeongsan, 19 (0.72%) were found to have antibodies.

Health authorities plan to continue nationwide antibody surveys in 2021 to monitor the level of herd immunity domestically. The target for this year's survey includes 7,000 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 15,000 army recruits, 5,000 representative samples from the metropolitan area, and 5,000 individuals tested at screening centers.

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