Authorities: "Omicron Can Be 'Confirmed' with Current PCR... Will Develop PCR Capable of 'Detection'" (Comprehensive)

On the morning of the 28th, medical staff are conducting COVID-19 testing at the screening clinic of Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The quarantine authorities have directly refuted the misconception that Omicron COVID-19 variant infections cannot be confirmed with the currently conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in South Korea. They explained that while the PCR test cannot determine whether the variant is Omicron, it can confirm COVID-19 infection itself since Omicron is essentially a COVID-19 virus.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated during a COVID-19 briefing on the afternoon of the 29th, "We need to distinguish between diagnosis and detection," adding, "All COVID-19 cases can be sufficiently diagnosed with the current PCR tests." However, he emphasized, "The only way to determine whether it is the Omicron variant after a COVID-19 diagnosis is through whole genome sequencing, which is the same situation worldwide."

The PCR testing method currently used domestically simultaneously checks multiple regions of the COVID-19 virus gene. It typically targets four genes: spike protein (S), envelope (E), RdRp, and nucleocapsid protein (N).

Most PCR tests conducted in South Korea detect the E, RdRp, and N genes, excluding the S gene, to confirm COVID-19 diagnosis. Overseas, PCR tests target all four genes, and if all targets except the S gene are detected, the presence of the Omicron variant is confirmed through genome sequencing or whole genome analysis.

On the 29th, when 3,309 new COVID-19 cases were reported, marking consecutive days of over 3,000 cases since the implementation of With Corona, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza are undergoing tests. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Regarding concerns that South Korea might not be able to filter out confirmed Omicron variant cases, Lee Sang-won strongly denied this. He said, "Our diagnostic reagents analyze other genes besides the S gene," emphasizing, "Regardless of the variant, including Omicron, all COVID-19 cases can be diagnosed." Since diagnosis and detection differ, even if separate analyses are conducted to detect Omicron, COVID-19 infection diagnosis is fully possible for existing variants such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, as well as Omicron.

The quarantine authorities plan to develop a PCR testing method capable of detecting the Omicron variant itself, as whole genome sequencing takes about 3 to 5 days. Lee added, "We will expedite the development of diagnostic methods to detect Omicron through PCR testing," and expressed hope that "results will be available within a month."

On the 29th, when the Omicron variant, which is more contagious than the Delta variant (India), appeared in 13 countries, passengers arriving on flights from Frankfurt and Khabarovsk were entering through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Airport Photographers Group

Meanwhile, regarding the global trend of countries closing their borders to block the entry of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the quarantine authorities stated that they are not considering a total ban on foreign nationals entering South Korea to prevent Omicron's entry.

Kim Ju-sim, head of the Overseas Entry and Exit Management Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at the briefing, "We are not currently considering a total entry ban on all foreigners." The authorities have designated eight countries?South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi?as enhanced quarantine countries, high-risk countries, and quarantine exemption exclusion countries as of midnight on the 28th. Accordingly, visa issuance for these eight countries is restricted. Foreign nationals traveling from these countries via transit will have their passports checked during boarding procedures, and boarding will be restricted. Even if they board and enter the country, entry will not be permitted.

Currently, countries worldwide are rapidly closing their borders to prevent the entry of the Omicron variant. The Japanese government announced on the same day that it will ban foreign nationals from entering Japan from all countries starting on the 30th as part of measures to block Omicron's entry. According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, a Japanese man who arrived from Namibia in Africa was confirmed positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing analysis to determine if he is infected with the Omicron variant.

Canada also banned entry for foreign travelers who visited seven southern African countries, including South Africa and Mozambique, starting on the 26th. However, on the 28th (local time), two travelers who visited Nigeria in Central West Africa tested positive for the Omicron variant, triggering a major alert in quarantine efforts.

On the 29th, when the Omicron variant, which is more contagious than the Delta (India) variant, emerged in 13 countries, passengers arriving on flights from Frankfurt and Khabarovsk were entering through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. / Photo by Airport Photographers Group

However, South Korean authorities are not currently considering a total entry ban on all foreigners in relation to this. Kim also stated that even if the Omicron variant is detected in countries other than the eight designated ones, they are not yet considering including those countries in the entry ban list.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, among 333 people who entered from the eight designated countries during the recent four weeks (from the 31st of last month to the 27th), none tested positive for COVID-19. The numbers include 232 from South Africa, 66 from Mozambique, 14 from Malawi, 11 from Zimbabwe, 7 from Botswana, and 3 from Namibia. There were no entrants from Lesotho or Eswatini during this period. Kim explained that since there are no direct flights from the eight countries, all entrants arrive via transit, and "measures have been put in place for this."

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