First Omicron Case Confirmed in Gundo

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The military has confirmed its first case of the COVID-19 variant Omicron.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 29th, three individuals were confirmed as Omicron cases: one officer from a Ministry of National Defense direct unit (Gukjik Budae) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and two soldiers from an Air Force unit in Osan.

The first case within the military, the officer from the Gukjik Budae, tested positive for COVID-19 at a military medical institution on the 22nd, and subsequent variant testing confirmed Omicron on the 24th.

In the Air Force unit, three soldiers tested positive for COVID-19 at a civilian public health center on the 26th. The next day, a military medical institution tested 153 unit members, identifying four additional cases, bringing the total to seven confirmed cases. Among the four new cases, two were confirmed as Omicron infections. The other two also tested 'positive' on rapid Omicron tests and are currently undergoing formal testing.

The initial three soldiers who tested positive at the civilian public health center did not undergo variant testing, but given the confirmed presence of Omicron, the possibility of a so-called 'Omicron cluster infection' cannot be ruled out.

Unlike military medical institutions that conduct rapid Omicron tests on all confirmed COVID-19 cases, variant testing at civilian public health centers is reportedly conducted through random sampling rather than full testing.

The military authorities estimate that the Omicron infections occurred through contact with outsiders during outings or guard post duties. Health authorities are conducting epidemiological investigations. With the confirmed entry of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant into military units, concerns about further spread are rising due to the nature of communal living in the military.

The ongoing 'booster shot' (additional vaccination) campaign for all service members is expected to accelerate. The military began additional vaccinations around mid-month and plans to complete vaccinations for all willing personnel by the 14th of next month. Based on those who have completed the second dose, the vaccination rate within the military is 94%.

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