Confirmed Cases to Be Released from Quarantine Starting Late May... First Domestic Detection of XE and XM Variants

Omicron Recombinant Variants 'XL' Followed by 'XE' and 'XM' First Confirmed in Korea
From Late May, No Isolation for Confirmed Cases... COVID-19 Reclassified as Second-Class Infectious Disease

Office workers are wearing masks and heading to work on Teheran-ro in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As social distancing measures have been fully lifted after about 2 years and 1 month, new COVID-19 variants have been emerging one after another in South Korea, raising concerns among citizens. Recently, following the Omicron recombinant variant 'XL,' infections of 'XE' and 'XM' variants have also been detected domestically.

Meanwhile, the government is reportedly considering changing the mandatory 7-day isolation for confirmed cases to a 'recommendation' starting from the 23rd of next month, leading to concerns that new variants might become a variable affecting the recovery of daily life. The government stated that due to weakened herd immunity and the emergence of variants, there is a possibility of a new wave in late autumn.

On the 19th, following the Omicron recombinant variant 'XL,' infections of the 'XE' and 'XM' variants were confirmed for the first time in South Korea. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that epidemiological investigations are underway after confirming 2 cases of the recombinant variant XE and 1 case of XM on that day.

The XE variant is a recombinant variant of the existing Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2, the latter also known as 'stealth Omicron.' Initial analysis shows that its infection rate is about 10% faster than BA.2.

The XM variant is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1.1 and BA.2. So far, no characteristic changes differing from existing viruses have been reported.

Citizens are walking along Myeongdong Street in Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

As such, concerns are being raised that the emergence of new types of variant viruses could become an obstacle to the recovery of daily life. Previously, the government announced that it would downgrade COVID-19's infectious disease classification from Level 1 to Level 2 on the 25th, in line with the daily recovery policy.

In particular, the government plans to convert the mandatory 7-day isolation for confirmed cases into a 'recommendation' after a one-month grace period. If no major variables arise, from the 23rd of next month, even those confirmed with COVID-19 will not be forced to isolate and will be able to carry on with daily life.

However, there appear to be many opinions expressing concern over the government's policy due to the continuous emergence of variant viruses.

A man in his 20s, office worker A, said, "It's good that social distancing has been lifted, but I also worry every time a new variant emerges. Since we still don't know much about the symptoms or aftereffects of the variant viruses, I am concerned. The government needs to monitor the situation consistently." He added, "From next month, confirmed cases will be able to roam around. This could be dangerous for vulnerable groups like the elderly."

Among citizens who have strictly followed personal quarantine rules such as wearing masks to avoid COVID-19 infection, some expressed feelings of frustration.

A job seeker in her 20s, B, said, "For two years, I wore a mask every day and avoided crowded places to not get infected with COVID-19. Suddenly lifting distancing and allowing confirmed cases to move around is confusing. I feel frustrated wondering why I worked so hard until now."

Meanwhile, the government forecasted that due to the continuous emergence of variants, a new wave or an increase in patients might begin around late autumn.

Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at the COVID-19 regular briefing that "the downward trend in confirmed cases is expected to continue for the time being," adding, "there is a possibility that the decrease will continue until late May or June."

However, he added, "There is also a sufficient risk of decreased herd immunity and the emergence of new variants," and "other countries in the world, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, are anticipating a new wave or an increase in patients around late autumn."

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