First Domestic Detection of COVID-19 XE and XM Variants... "Epidemiological Link Cases Under Investigation"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Following the XL variant, the 'XE' and 'XM' variant infections have also been confirmed for the first time in South Korea.

On the 19th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that two cases of the Omicron recombinant variant XE and one case of XM have been confirmed, and epidemiological investigations are underway. The XL Omicron recombinant variant was first discovered domestically on the 12th.

Among the two XE infections, one case was an imported case from the UK confirmed positive on the 27th of last month. The other XE case was infected on the 30th of last month, and the XM infection case was confirmed positive on the 27th of last month. The age groups are in their 20s, 50s, and 60s. All showed initial suspected symptoms without any notable symptoms. Currently, all infected individuals have been released from isolation.

Since two variant infections without overseas travel history were confirmed, the possibility of domestic occurrence of the variant virus has also been raised. Lee Sang-won, head of the epidemiology department at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "Regarding the domestic cases of XE and XM variants, both imported and domestic infection possibilities exist," adding, "Given the current circumstances, we judge that the possibility of domestic occurrence is sufficiently high and are conducting analytical investigations."

The XE variant is a recombinant variant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2. According to the initial analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO), the XE variant has an infection growth rate approximately 10% faster than BA.2. Since January 1st through the 18th, 489 cases have been confirmed in four countries including the UK, the US, and Ireland, and it has also been detected in Asian countries such as Japan and Taiwan.

The XM variant is a recombinant variant of Omicron BA.1.1 and BA.2, and no characteristic changes differing from existing viruses have been reported yet. According to WHO, as of the 18th, 32 cases have been confirmed in eight countries including Germany, Denmark, and Austria since February.

The authorities explained, "The Omicron recombinant variants such as XE and XM are classified as Omicron by WHO, so significant characteristic changes are not expected," but added, "Since there is no analysis data on transmissibility or severity, monitoring will continue to be strengthened."

The possibility of the XL variant spreading within the community is also under investigation. Park Young-jun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "There are a total of 13 epidemiologically related cases to the XL variant infected individual, including two cohabitants and 11 workplace colleagues who tested positive," adding, "However, some of them showed symptom onset or confirmation dates earlier than the index patient, so we are investigating the chronological order and the extent of community transmission." No variant infections have been confirmed among the epidemiologically related cases yet.

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