Cases of Variant COVID-19 Infection Reported in Germany... London Visitor

by Yoo Jaehoon

Published 25 Dec.2020 09:40(KST)

Updated 25 Dec.2020 10:24(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Cases of infection with a new variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been reported in Germany as well.

On the 24th (local time), according to AFP, the Baden-W?rttemberg State Health Department in Germany announced that a woman who recently arrived from London, United Kingdom, was confirmed to be infected with the COVID-19 variant.

According to reports, the woman who tested positive arrived at Frankfurt Airport from London on the 20th, and tested positive in a COVID-19 diagnostic test conducted at the airport. Mild symptoms appeared shortly after she was quarantined at home, and she tested positive again in a second diagnostic test.

The health authorities explained that analysis of the specimen collected from this woman confirmed that it was the COVID-19 variant spreading mainly in London, United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 variant that appeared in the United Kingdom last September has up to 70% higher transmissibility compared to the existing virus, causing concern among health authorities worldwide. As a result, more than 40 countries, including South Korea, have strengthened controls on the entry of passengers from the United Kingdom.