Other Variants Increase by 75 to 257... Possibility of Domestic Spread

Risk Not Yet Confirmed... Tension Over Potential Trigger for COVID-19 Resurgence

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Concerns are rising that the additional 75 cases of infections with other variant viruses (such as 'United States' and 'United Kingdom·Nigeria'), besides the UK, South Africa, and Brazil variants, may influence the resurgence of COVID-19 in South Korea.

Experts pointed out that, unlike the three major existing variants, the clinical and epidemiological risks of these other variants have not yet been confirmed, but since some domestic transmission has occurred, it is necessary to further strengthen the response capabilities against variants in the future.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 12th, 75 additional cases of infections with other variant viruses were confirmed, increasing the total number of variant infections in the country to 257.

The California variant from the United States has been identified 68 times since December last year, while the New York variant from the United States and the United Kingdom·Nigeria variant have been confirmed 3 and 4 times respectively since last month. The United Kingdom·Nigeria variant is different from the previously known UK-origin variant.

Among the 75 cases, 45 were domestic infections excluding 30 imported cases. Of these, 43 were confirmed cases related to 11 cluster outbreaks, including a bathhouse in Gangneung-si, Gangwon, and a hospital in Donghae-si.

Regarding the sudden surge in other variant infections, Kwon Jun-wook, the 2nd Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, explained, "The World Health Organization (WHO) announced a classification system for not only major variants but also other variant viruses on the 25th of last month, so South Korea classified previously monitored variant cases according to the WHO system."

The impact of other variants on transmissibility, severity or mortality, and the efficacy of treatments and vaccines has not yet been confirmed.

In response, Professor Lee Jae-gap of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gangnam Severance Hospital said, "It is necessary to conduct a more detailed investigation to determine whether additional community transmission has occurred," and added, "To prevent the resurgence of COVID-19, variant analysis and monitoring should be strengthened not only for imported cases but also for domestic cluster outbreaks."

Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Ewha Mokdong Hospital stated, "There is still limited information on other variants, so it is too early to assess the level of risk," and emphasized, "Since community transmission is a concern, thorough management of overseas entrants is necessary."

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