[사회]The first domestic confirmation of a mutant virus from the UK… 4 other family members are also checking

[앵커]

There were less than 1,000 new cases for two consecutive days in Korea.

As of today (28th) 0 o’clock, it was 808, 162 fewer than the previous day.

However, considering the number of holiday inspections that are less than weekdays, it is difficult to conclude that the spreading trend has declined.

In fact, the risk assessment indicators are still bad.

The average number of confirmed cases per day in Korea, from the end of last month to the beginning of this month, was less than 500.

Even the’upper limit’ of the 3rd level upgrade condition has been exceeded.

The proportion of confirmed patients whose infection route is unknown also reached 28% for the last week.

In less than a month, it soared more than 10%p.

There are so many patients who do not know when and where they were infected.

As such, the momentum of further infections in the community is not fading.

In particular, the situation in the metropolitan area where the population is concentrated is not good.

Yesterday alone, over 67% of all confirmed cases in Korea came from Seoul, Gyeonggi and Incheon.

It was confirmed that even the’British mutant virus’ was introduced into the country as a result of being overwhelmed.

Concerns that Korea is not a safe zone has become a reality.

In particular, it is estimated that the spreading power is up to 70% stronger than that of the existing virus, so an emergency has occurred for the quarantine authorities.

Then, let’s take a closer look at the related information.

People who have been confirmed to be infected with the mutant virus are known to be family members who arrived in London on the 22nd.

Apart from this family, the quarantine authorities are also investigating four other family members for mutant virus infections.

Connect with reporters. Reporter Seung-Hoon Lee!

It was first confirmed that the’Corona 19 mutant virus’, which is prevalent in the UK, has been introduced into Korea, right?

[기자]

That’s right. The three people who have recently arrived in the UK with mutant virus have been identified in the samples.

As you said, this is the first time that a mutant virus from the UK has been confirmed in Korea.

The person who has been confirmed to be infected with the mutant virus is a family who arrived in London on the 22nd.

There are also other entrants suspected of being infected.

There are four family members who were recently admitted from the UK and were confirmed to have been infected with the mutant virus.

One of these men in their 80s died on the 26th at Ilsan Hospital in Gyeonggi Province and was confirmed positive for Corona 19.

The availability of the mutant virus in this family is likely to come out this week as soon as possible.

[앵커]

What kind of virus is the UK mutant virus identified this time?

[기자]

The first mutant virus found in the UK is known to be about 70% stronger than the existing virus.

Therefore, this mutant virus, which has a transmission rate of 1.7 times that of the existing virus, has been the cause of the’second corona 19 epidemic’ in South Africa, and it is feared that it will have a great influence on infectivity and immune response.

The government is also taking steps to prevent the virus from entering Korea.

From the 23rd, all flights departing from London Heathrow Airport and arriving at Incheon International Airport were suspended.

In addition, it is mandatory for all visitors from the UK to undergo a diagnostic test before quarantine, and for those entering South Africa, fever checks are strengthened at the time of entry and additional tests are also performed before quarantine.

However, some point out that the initial response is late because the arrivals confirmed to be infected with the mutant virus are those arriving on the 22nd, a day before the suspension of operations.

When the COVID-19 mutant virus was confirmed in Korea, the quarantine authorities announced that they would carry out a’diagnostic test before decontainment’ for all immigrants.

Except for countries where the Corona 19 virus rarely occurs, people entering the country are being tested before quarantine and are preparing additional measures to prevent spread to the community.

YTN Lee Seung-hoon at the Ministry of Social Affairs[[email protected]]is.

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