Variant infections practically surpass 1,000... Other variants continue to increase (Comprehensive)

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 infections within local communities and new other variant cases beyond the three major variants are being continuously identified, concerns are raised that this could become the biggest variable in the 'fourth wave' of the pandemic.

Only 535 'officially confirmed'... 'Effectively' over 1,000 when combined

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), as of the 27th, the officially recorded number of COVID-19 variant cases totals 535. By variant type, there are 464 cases from the UK, 61 from South Africa, and 10 from Brazil.

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

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the KDCA, explained, "We do not conduct full testing of variant viruses. In cases of cluster infections, we first test the index and initial patients, and if most are confirmed as variants, all epidemiologically related cases are considered variant virus infections."

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

Currently, the 'whole genome sequencing' method, which examines the entire virus, is used to detect variant viruses. This analysis takes about a week. Recently, partial genome sequencing has 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%.

Health authorities explained, "To test more subjects with limited genomic analysis capacity, it is unnecessary to analyze all members of the same cluster. We confirm variant status through analysis of initial representative cases and classify the rest as epidemiologically linked 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, while the open-air crematorium is overloaded, struggling to handle the continuously arriving bodies.
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However, recently, other variants beyond the three major ones have been increasingly identified, raising the risk associated with variants. As of the 19th, 312 cases have been confirmed, including 294 cases of the US California variant, 6 cases of the US New York variant, 7 cases of the UK/Nigeria variant, and 5 cases of the Philippine variant, pushing the total number of variant confirmed cases beyond 1,400. Additionally, 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 said, "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."

Regarding the California variant, she added, "There are reports that it increases transmissibility. While it is not known to increase fatality rates, it is a situation that requires continuous 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. Due to concerns about unclear infection routes, there are calls to strengthen testing capacity further.

UK variant previously required two consecutive negative tests within 24 hours for release from quarantine... Now asymptomatic cases can be released after 10 days

Meanwhile, authorities have relaxed quarantine release criteria for UK variant infections. Previously, UK variant cases could only be released from quarantine after receiving two consecutive negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test results. Going forward, release is possible without testing by monitoring the duration of asymptomatic status.

Commissioner Jung stated, "We analyzed the virus transmission period for UK variant-infected patients and revised patient management guidelines. The quarantine release criteria for UK variant infections have been changed to apply the same standards as for non-variant virus infections."

This measure was based on a review by the Infectious Disease Crisis Management Expert Committee and an analysis of the virus transmission period among 178 UK variant-infected patients.

Previously, as the UK variant was known to have higher infectivity than the original virus, since January, PCR tests were conducted at intervals of more than 24 hours, and quarantine was only lifted after two consecutive negative results, with no fever and improving clinical symptoms.

Overseas arrivals are moving along the quarantine route at the Arrival Hall of Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, analysis of the actual virus transmission period among variant-infected patients showed that "the virus transmission period of UK variant-infected patients does not differ from that of non-variant confirmed patients," Commissioner Jung explained.

The CDCH reported that a study conducted on 178 UK variant confirmed patients until the 15th of last month found no significant difference in Ct values (cycle threshold values for positive PCR results) between the UK variant and non-variant groups.

Additionally, analysis of 77 positive samples cultured from 33 UK variant-infected patients under isolation treatment showed that all samples collected 10 days after symptom onset or confirmation tested negative.

More detailed data will be published in the KDCA's Weekly Health and Disease report on the 29th.

Considering these findings, the CDCH set the quarantine release criteria for UK variant confirmed cases to be the same as for general COVID-19 confirmed cases, effective from the 12th of this month.

Under this standard, release from quarantine can be based on clinical results as well as testing. Asymptomatic patients can be released after 10 days from confirmation if no symptoms occur. Symptomatic patients can be released at least 10 days after symptom onset if they have no fever for at least 24 hours without antipyretic treatment and their clinical symptoms are improving.

However, for South African and Brazilian variant infections among the three major variants, the existing mandatory testing-based quarantine release criteria remain in effect. The CDCH plans to analyze the transmission period for these variants as well to establish appropriate quarantine release standards.

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