Domestic variants practically exceed 1,500 cases... 'Domestic infections > Overseas inflow'

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 infections exceeds 1,000.

In particular, the proportion of domestic infections among newly confirmed cases recently is higher than that of imported cases, and when combined with other variants beyond the three major types, the number of domestic variant infections surpasses 1,500, signaling a red alert for quarantine measures.

Only 535 'officially confirmed'... Over 1,000 when including 'effectively' infected cases

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 28th, as of the 27th, the officially recorded COVID-19 variant cases total 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 related cases, bringing the total number of domestic variant virus cases to 1,150. This means that the number of infections with the three major imported variants has exceeded 1,000 domestically.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the KDCA, explained, "Without conducting full testing for 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 cases."

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

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 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%.

Health authorities explained, "To test more subjects with limited genomic variant analysis capacity, it is unnecessary to analyze every individual in the same cluster. We confirm variant status through analysis of initial representative cases and classify the rest as epidemiologically related cases for aggregation."

'Domestic infections' > 'Imported variants'... Concerns over domestic transmission

On the 21st, a quarantine officer is placing an identification sticker on the shoulder of an arriving passenger at the Arrival Hall of Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The problem is that among newly confirmed variant infections, the proportion of domestic infections is higher than imported cases, indicating a concerning domestic spread.

Among 86 newly confirmed cases of the three major variants over about a week since the 20th, 52 cases (60.5%) were domestic infections, surpassing 34 cases (39.5%) of imported infections. The previous week saw an equal split of 35 cases each between domestic and imported infections, but the proportion of domestic infections has since increased.

Including epidemiologically related cases, the proportion of domestic infections rises further. Epidemiologically related cases include those confirmed during self-quarantine after entry, so the proportion of infections from contact with confirmed domestic cases is naturally higher than imported cases. All 151 newly added epidemiologically related cases are domestic infections.

Cumulatively, among 1,150 cases, only 319 (27.7%) are imported, while 831 (72.3%) are domestic infections, making up the majority. This is why concerns about imminent domestic transmission of variants are emerging.

'Not just the three major variants... Over 300 other variants, including 9 cases of the 'double variant' Indian variant

In an open-air crematorium temporarily set up in New Delhi, the capital of India, the cremation of COVID-19 victims is taking place on the 26th (local time).
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

However, recently, other variants beyond the three major types have been increasingly identified, raising the risk associated with variants. As of the 27th, there are 334 cases of the US California variant, 9 cases of the Indian variant, 7 cases of the US New York variant, 8 cases of the UK/Nigerian variant, and 5 cases of the Philippine variant, totaling 363 other variant cases. When combined, the actual number of domestic variant infections exceeds 1,500.

Among these, the Indian variant is known as a 'double variant' and is feared to potentially reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines and treatments. However, Commissioner Jung Eun-kyung stated, "Since reports on the Indian variant are recent, further investigation and analysis are needed to determine its impact on fatality rates, infectivity, and transmissibility."

She added regarding 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 quarantine authorities, the California variant is gradually increasing through local transmission in the Gangwon and Gyeongsang regions.

Additionally, among the confirmed cases of the three major variants, 22 cases are still under investigation for their infection routes. Given the significant concern over unclear infection routes, there are calls to strengthen testing capabilities further.

Professor Baek Soon-young, Emeritus Professor at the Catholic University School of Medicine, pointed out, "The California variant, which has frequent exchanges with us, is continuing to spread among other variants. It is known to have mutations that can evade immunity, which is concerning." He advised, "If variant infections surge rapidly like in Japan, control becomes difficult. We must accelerate vaccination before variants become dominant domestically."

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