247 Additional Cases of 4 Major Variants Confirmed Domestically... 4 Returning Koreans Infected with 'India Variant' (Update)

38 out of 1,039 Korean Residents Entering India This Month Confirmed with COVID-19

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Among 1,039 Korean nationals and others who entered South Korea from India this month, 38 tested positive for COVID-19. Among them, 4 were confirmed to be infected with the Indian variant.

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 18th, "A total of 1,039 overseas Koreans from India entered the country in six batches starting from May 4," adding, "So far, 38 have tested positive, and among them, 4 were confirmed to have the Indian variant virus." Fifteen cases were confirmed at the quarantine stage, and 23 cases during facility quarantine.

By entry batch: ▲1st batch (May 4) 172 entrants, 3 confirmed cases ▲2nd batch (May 7) 204 entrants, 10 confirmed cases ▲3rd batch (May 9) 164 entrants, 10 confirmed cases ▲4th batch (May 12) 183 entrants, 7 confirmed cases ▲5th batch (May 13) 138 entrants, 1 confirmed case ▲6th batch (May 15) 178 entrants, 7 confirmed cases. Among the first batch, 1 person, 2 from the second batch, and 1 from the third batch were confirmed to be infected with the Indian variant. Additionally, for the second and third batch entrants who completed 7 days of quarantine at temporary living facilities, 332 individuals who tested negative on the 6th day before leaving the facility were switched to self-quarantine, and another test will be conducted before release from quarantine on the 13th day.

Lee also emphasized, "Although the COVID-19 situation in India has slightly decreased compared to last week, many infections are still occurring," and added, "The quarantine authorities will closely monitor this situation and continue to manage quarantine measures to prevent the variant virus from spreading into the local community."

Meanwhile, as of midnight today, 247 additional cases of major variant virus infections were reported, bringing the total to 1,113 cases. Among the newly added cases, the UK variant was the most prevalent with 199 cases, followed by the South African variant with 18 cases, the Brazilian variant with 1 case, and the Indian variant with 29 cases. Since October, among the total 1,113 confirmed major variant virus cases, the UK variant accounted for the largest proportion with 904 cases, followed by the South African variant with 111 cases, the Brazilian variant with 11 cases, and the Indian variant with 87 cases.

In the past week, among 247 new confirmed cases, 51 were imported cases (24 at the quarantine stage, 27 during self-quarantine). Domestic cases numbered 195, mainly identified during investigations related to cluster outbreaks.

The variant virus analysis rate during this period was 21.2% (921 cases), with a variant detection rate of 26.8%. Authorities explained, "Once the detection rate of variant viruses rises, it tends not to decrease easily. This week shows a slight decrease compared to last week, but the situation is not optimistic, and the detection rate could increase at any time. Therefore, we will work harder to suppress it."

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