Over 6,000 Infected with Four Major COVID-19 Variants

2225 Confirmed Cases of Major COVID-19 Variants
Total 6098 Including 'Epidemiologically Linked' Cases

'Delta Variant' Poses High Risk but Low Domestic Spread Concern
Authorities Say "Vaccination Provides Significant Protection Against Variants"

On the 20th, medical staff collected samples from citizens at a temporary screening clinic set up in Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The number of infections with the four major COVID-19 variants that have entered South Korea has effectively surpassed 6,000.

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 22nd, "This week, an additional 261 confirmed cases of major variant viruses were identified," adding, "By type, there are 223 Alpha cases, 2 Beta cases, 1 Gamma case, and 35 Delta cases."

Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies four COVID-19 variant viruses as "major (variants of concern)": Alpha (UK variant), Beta (South Africa variant), Gamma (Brazil variant), and Delta (India variant). The cumulative confirmed cases by type are 1,886 for Alpha, 142 for Beta, 7 for Gamma, and 190 for Delta.

In the past week, out of 732 genetic analyses conducted to identify variants, 261 variant viruses were detected. This corresponds to a variant detection rate of 35.7%. Since genetic analysis began in December last year, 2,225 cases out of a total of 11,336 (19.6%) have been confirmed as variant viruses, making the current detection rate about 1.5 times higher.

Lee Sang-won explained, "The detection rate is continuously increasing and this trend is also observed globally." He emphasized, "As of May, genetic analysis is being conducted on about 15.6% of virus samples, which is somewhat higher than the WHO's recommended 5-10% of confirmed cases. Compared to other countries, the variant virus detection rate in South Korea is relatively low."

According to health authorities, the variant virus detection rates in major foreign countries as of the 8th are: UK 98.98%, France 85.98%, USA 67.79%, and Japan 51.27%. In contrast, South Korea's detection rates for major viruses were 39.6% in May and 35.7% last week, which are relatively low levels.

So far, the number of cluster infection cases with confirmed variant virus infections in South Korea has increased by 13 from the previous week, totaling 165 cases. Among the 13 new clusters, 39 variant-confirmed cases were identified, and the related epidemiological cases amount to 241. Currently, due to genetic testing capacity, when some cases in a cluster are confirmed as variant infections, the entire cluster is effectively classified as "epidemiologically related cases" of variant infections.

Considering this, the total number of confirmed variant cases in South Korea, 2,225, plus the cumulative epidemiologically related cases, 3,873, results in an effective total of 6,098 infections with the four major variants, surpassing 6,000.

Kwon Deok-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare and First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the morning of the 22nd. The meeting discussed the current status and response measures for the recently spreading variant virus. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Authorities are closely monitoring the Delta variant, which is spreading globally, but emphasize that the risk level domestically remains low and that completing vaccination provides significant protection against infection.

The Delta variant is currently present in over 80 countries worldwide, centered in India and the UK. It is reported to be 1.6 times more transmissible than the Alpha variant and has an approximately 2.26 times higher hospitalization rate. There are also interpretations suggesting it may reduce vaccine efficacy, raising overall concerns that it is more dangerous than the Alpha variant.

Kim Eun-jin, head of the Testing and Analysis Team 1 at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, analyzed, "Since May, the major genetic group of COVID-19 in South Korea has been the G clade," adding, "The Delta variant belongs to the G clade, but the proportion of Delta variants among the G clade detected domestically is very low."

Viruses are classified and named into genetic groups called "clades" when they form clusters of similar origins through genetic analysis. The major COVID-19 genetic groups in South Korea have evolved from the S clade in January last year → V clade in February-March last year → GH clade from April last year to April this year → and G clade in May. The GH clade, which accounted for 85.3% in January last year, dropped significantly to 19.7% in May, while the G clade surged from 1.2% in January to 57.2% in May. The Alpha variant belongs to the GRY clade, and the Beta variant belongs to the GH clade.

However, Kim explained, "97.4% of the detailed genotypes composing the G clade are not WHO-designated major or other variant viruses. These genotypes are currently identified in several countries but have no reported unique characteristics related to virus traits or transmissibility, and further research is ongoing."

As the COVID-19 Delta variant rapidly spreads in the UK, citizens are lined up in front of a vaccination center in Brent, northwest London, on the 19th (local time). [Image source=Xinhua News Agency]

Authorities reiterated the importance of rapid vaccination to counter variants. Lee Sang-won stated, "(The Delta variant) is known to have higher transmissibility than the previously known Alpha variant, so it is indeed a very concerning situation," emphasizing, "Thorough preparation and response to variant viruses are necessary to control the outbreak, and rather than harboring vague anxiety, accurate and scientific measures are required."

He added, "In the UK, new confirmed cases are rising again, and over 90% of new cases are known to be the Delta variant," but also noted, "Detailed analysis of UK data shows that 89.6% of new hospitalizations are among people who have not completed their second vaccination, and 65% have not been vaccinated at all." He concluded, "It can be judged that those who have completed vaccination have significant preventive effects and protection against severe reactions. The best measure is to complete vaccination according to the scheduled timeline."

Currently, the Pfizer vaccine and AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine are known to have efficacy rates of 87.9% and 59.8%, respectively, against the Delta variant. Against the initial circulating virus, Pfizer showed 91.3% effectiveness, and AZ showed 59.8% effectiveness.

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