Left Unprotected for a Week After Omicron Infection... 'It's Already Spread Everywhere'

Couple and 67 Contacts
40s Couple, Breakthrough Infection Less Than a Month After Moderna Vaccination
Two in Their 50s, Omicron Detected but Home Treatment Without Hospital Bed Allocation

On the 1st, officials at Incheon Airport are guiding people to the COVID-19 testing center.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Despite the Omicron COVID-19 variant sweeping across the globe, there are criticisms that domestic quarantine authorities responded complacently until the first domestic Omicron variant case was detected, thereby exacerbating the situation. In particular, concerns are rising that the domestic quarantine situation, which has already turned red, will worsen further as a couple in their 40s residing in Incheon reportedly experienced breakthrough infections less than a month after vaccination.

The Community Was Breached Without Defense

As of the morning of the 2nd, a total of five confirmed cases of the Omicron variant have been identified. Except for two women in their 50s, the others were free to move until their diagnosis, raising the possibility that the variant has already spread within the community.

There are criticisms that the initial response was flawed. The couple had completed Moderna vaccinations before departure and had a negative PCR test certificate obtained locally upon return, allowing them to go home immediately without quarantine. Until they were diagnosed at a nearby public health center the next day, there were no movement restrictions. Even though the spread of the Omicron variant was not yet known, no special quarantine measures were taken based on PCR results that could not detect Omicron, which facilitated movement and provided an opportunity for community transmission, including through acquaintances who supported their movement.

Moreover, a 30-year-old acquaintance was only confirmed positive on the 29th of last month, having freely attended work and met acquaintances for about a week from the estimated time of infection. Authorities estimate that over 50 contacts, including the acquaintance and their family, were involved during this period. In comparison, the number of contacts related to the couple in their 40s, including family, six passengers seated near them on the aircraft, and eight residents of the townhouse, totals only 17, about one-third of the acquaintance's contacts.

However, there are no additional community contacts related to the couple’s teenage son. The woman in her 50s also has no close contacts other than one family member who assisted her movement after arriving on the 23rd of last month.

Despite the rapid spread of the variant overseas, the community spread was effectively left unchecked. Authorities hastily announced measures starting from the 3rd, including a 10-day quarantine for all arrivals regardless of nationality or vaccination status, whole genome or targeted genome testing, and a two-week suspension of the only direct flight from Africa, the Ethiopian Airlines flight. However, these measures have been criticized as too little, too late.

There are also criticisms of the inadequate response after confirmation. The two women in their 50s are still receiving home treatment as of the morning of the same day. Although authorities have established a principle that confirmed Omicron variant cases should be hospitalized or admitted to living treatment centers without home treatment, hospital beds have not yet been assigned. Home treatment allows cohabitants to go out for essential needs such as purchasing daily necessities, even though commuting to work or school is prohibited, which could lead to further spread. Regarding the possibility of further transmission, authorities have expressed a stance of "having no choice but to accept it."

Breakthrough Infection Even with the Strongest Moderna Vaccine

Concerns also arise from the fact that the couple in their 40s experienced breakthrough infections less than a month after receiving the Moderna vaccine. They completed their Moderna vaccination on October 28, traveled to Nigeria from the 14th to the 23rd of last month, and were diagnosed positive on the 25th. Despite Moderna being known for its high antigen dose per person and the highest initial neutralizing antibody formation, breakthrough infections occurred. However, among the nine confirmed or suspected Omicron cases, seven others besides this couple were unvaccinated.

The Omicron variant is known to have numerous mutations in the spike protein region, which had previously been associated with increased infectivity and immune evasion in variants such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Lambda. It is reported that Omicron’s transmissibility could be about six times higher than the Delta variant. Moderna CEO St?phane Bancel has also expressed concerns that existing vaccines may not be as effective against Omicron as they were against the Delta variant.

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