26 Additional Variant Virus Cases... "Zero Tolerance for Self-Quarantine Violators" (Update)

"Temporary Screening Clinics to Continue Operation up to Social Distancing Level 2"

On the 31st, when the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases dropped to the 300s for the first time in five days, medical staff were collecting specimens at the temporary screening clinic at Seoul Station. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters as of midnight that day, 355 new cases were reported. Among them, 325 were domestic cases and 30 were imported cases, bringing the total cumulative number of confirmed cases to 78,205. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Four additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 variant virus have been reported in connection with the cluster outbreak among foreign relatives in Gyeongnam and Jeonnam, where four variant virus infections had previously occurred.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at the regular COVID-19 briefing on the 9th, "Yesterday, a total of 26 variant virus cases were detected, including 24 cases of the UK variant, 1 case of the South African variant, and 1 case of the Brazilian variant. Among these, 4 domestic cases were all foreigners, confirmed as variant virus through contact tracing of the cluster outbreak among relatives in Gyeongnam and Jeonnam." He added, "In relation to this, we re-examined the domestic contacts and strengthened testing, but no additional confirmed cases have occurred beyond these 4."

Among the newly added variant virus cases, 22 were imported from overseas. Sixteen were confirmed at the quarantine stage, and six were confirmed through tests conducted after entry. Contact tracing was also conducted for these 22 imported cases, but no variant virus infections have been identified so far.

Lee emphasized, "The variant virus is showing a tendency to spread very rapidly worldwide. To prevent the domestic spread of the variant virus, the cooperation of incoming travelers is absolutely necessary, and a zero-tolerance policy will be applied to those who violate self-quarantine."

The authorities are currently monitoring symptoms once a day to respond to the variant virus. Testing is mandatory within one day after entry and also before release from quarantine. However, considering the recent spread of the variant virus, the monitoring frequency will be increased to twice a day, and compliance with quarantine will be managed more strictly.

Meanwhile, the authorities also announced at the briefing that temporary screening clinics will continue to operate until social distancing level 2 is maintained in the metropolitan area. Lee explained, "Over the past eight weeks, a total of about 1.61 million people have been tested through temporary screening clinics, resulting in the early detection and management of 4,621 confirmed cases. This improved testing accessibility and expanded testing capacity, enabling early detection and management of community infections."

He added, "Until the metropolitan area maintains social distancing level 2, temporary screening clinics will be continuously maintained to enable early detection of asymptomatic confirmed cases. Considering the decrease in testing demand due to the reduction in confirmed cases and the testing capacity of existing screening clinics, some clinics will be adjusted or downsized according to the demand of local governments."

However, to enable faster and more prompt responses when confirmed cases occur, anonymous testing will be converted to real-name testing, collecting minimal information such as name, date of birth, and phone number. If social distancing is lowered to level 1.5 or below, the temporary screening clinics may be operated as branches of existing screening clinics.

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