Variant infections practically surpass 1,000 cases... Other variants continue to increase

Arrivals are walking at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the number of confirmed cases of the 'three major COVID-19 variants' from the UK, South Africa, and Brazil reaches 535, when including epidemiologically related cases that are effectively considered variant infections, the total number of variant cases has surpassed 1,000.

In particular, since most epidemiologically related variant cases are local infections and new other variant cases beyond the three major variants are being confirmed one after another, it is pointed out that this could become the biggest variable in the 'fourth wave' of the pandemic.

Only 535 Cases Officially Confirmed... 'Effectively' Over 1,000 When Including Infections

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of the 27th, the officially counted COVID-19 variant cases total 535. By variant type, there are 464 UK cases, 61 South African cases, and 10 Brazilian cases.

However, this figure only counts patients whose variant infection was finally confirmed through genomic analysis. The authorities stated that, in addition to the 535 confirmed variant cases, there are 615 epidemiologically related cases, bringing the total number of domestic variant virus cases to 1,150. The number of infections with the three major variants introduced into the country has thus exceeded 1,000.

Among the epidemiologically related cases, except for four Brazilian variant cases confirmed during self-quarantine, all 611 cases are related to the UK variant. Of these, 598 are domestic infections and 13 are imported. Notably, the number of variant infections from contact with confirmed patients is 202 confirmed cases, but epidemiologically related cases reach 592, which is three times higher.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the KDCA, explained, "When not conducting full testing for variant viruses and in cases of group (infection), we first test the index and initial patients, and if most are confirmed as variants, all epidemiologically related cases are considered variant virus cases."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although suspicions may arise that the authorities are limiting variant testing to reduce the number of detected variant viruses, the authorities explain that this is more of a desperate measure due to limitations in genetic variant analysis capabilities.

Currently, to detect variant viruses, a 'whole genome sequencing' method that examines the entire virus is used. This analysis takes about a week. Recently, partial genome analysis methods have also been utilized for faster analysis, but the analysis rate compared to confirmed cases in the past week remains low at 11.2% domestically and 66.4% overseas, totaling only 12.7%.

The health authorities explained, "To test more subjects with limited genetic variant analysis capacity, it is unnecessary to analyze the entire group. We confirm variant status through analysis of initial representative cases and classify the rest as epidemiologically related cases for counting."

Not Just the 'Three Major'... Over 300 Other Variants, Including 9 Cases of 'Double Variant' Indian Variant

On the 26th (local time), cremations of COVID-19 victims are being carried out at a temporary open-air crematorium set up in New Delhi, the capital of India. On this day, India recorded 352,991 new daily COVID-19 cases, surpassing the world record for six consecutive days, and the open-air crematorium is overwhelmed by the endless influx of bodies.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

However, recently, other variants beyond the three major ones have been increasingly confirmed, raising the risk of variants. As of the 19th, 312 cases have been identified, including 294 cases of the US California variant, 6 of the US New York variant, 7 of the UK/Nigeria variant, and 5 of the Philippine variant, bringing the total number of variant confirmed cases to over 1,400. In addition, 9 cases of the 'double variant' Indian variant, which raises concerns about weakening the efficacy of existing vaccines and treatments, have been confirmed domestically.

Commissioner Jung Eun-kyung stated, "Regarding variants other than the major ones, reports on the Indian variant have recently emerged, so further investigation and analysis are needed to determine their impact on fatality rates, infectivity, and transmissibility."

She added about the California variant, "There are reports that it increases transmissibility. While it is not known to increase fatality rates, it is a situation that requires continued monitoring." According to current health authorities, the California variant is slightly increasing through local infections in the Gangwon and Gyeongsang regions.

Among the confirmed cases of the three major variants, 22 cases still have unknown infection routes. Given the significant concern over unclear infection routes, there are calls to strengthen testing capabilities further. Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Infectious Diseases Department at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "Variants are occurring nationwide, and cases with unknown infection routes are appearing, so the fourth wave could be a qualitatively worse outbreak than the third wave. Testing for variants should be actively expanded beyond group infections to include individual infections and cases with unknown infection routes."

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