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| On the afternoon of the 4th, citizens who visit the temporary screening clinic installed in the Barammadang of Seongbuk-gu Office in Seoul are being tested for a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19). 2021.2.5/News1 © News1 Reporter Park Jung-ho |
Twelve additional cases of new coronavirus (Corona 19) infection from overseas have been added. Although it is still at the level of domestic’inflow’, it is evaluated that it is only a matter of time before mutant viruses become the main virus of the spread of local communities.
The full-length genome analysis to confirm the presence of a mutant virus has limitations in increasing the number of tests as required by experts and facilities, and it is practically difficult to isolate power facilities.
Experts in the end explain that reducing the spread of Corona 19 is the best way. The quarantine authorities plan to expand the full-length genetic analysis as much as possible.
◇10 cases from the UK and 2 cases from South Africa… Expert “It can be said that it is already spreading in Korea”
According to the Central Defense Response Headquarters, the number of additional mutant virus cases confirmed at 0 o’clock on the 6th was 12 cases, including 10 cases from the UK and 2 cases from South Africa. As a result, a total of 51 cases were confirmed, including 37 cases from the UK, 9 cases from South Africa, and 5 cases from Brazil.
As such, the number of confirmed cases of mutant virus is gradually increasing. Regarding this, some argue that the spread of local communities is beginning.
On the 3rd, four confirmed cases of a mutant virus originating in the UK have already occurred in’Gyeongnam/Jeonnam foreign relatives group infection’. This is the first case of infiltrating the community.
As relatives moved in and out of the house where the first confirmed person from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was quarantined, 38 people, including family members, relatives, and acquaintances, were confirmed to be corona19. In particular, four of them were confirmed to be infected with the mutant virus. For technical reasons, the full-length genome analysis was not conducted on all of them, but epidemiologically, all 38 people are likely to be confirmed mutant viruses.
Experts believe that in this situation, the mutant virus is already spreading in Korea. It is predicted that the mutant virus could become the main virus type of domestic spread.
Eun-mi Cheon, a professor of respiratory internal medicine at Ewha University Mokdong Hospital, said, “No matter how well quarantined, there are people with a long incubation period, and there are cases where self-isolation is not adequate, such as the case of Gyeongnam/Jeonnam foreign infection.” It will be.”
◇It is difficult to increase the overall genome analysis because of the need for experts and facilities… Expansion of facility isolation “Lack of resources”
Some argue that the full-length genome analysis should be expanded to preemptively filter out the confirmed mutant virus, but in reality it is not easy.
Unlike PCR (gene amplification), which can be tested with a simple sample collection, full-length genome analysis is a test that requires analyzing the sequence of about 30,000 genes individually. Specialized personnel may only perform tests in well-equipped laboratories. Time and cost are also more consuming than PCR testing.
In addition, if the amount of virus in the sample is not sufficient, full-length genome analysis is impossible, so it is difficult to expand the test. The first confirmed case of’Gyeongnam/Jeonnam Foreign Relative Group Infection’ occurred on January 7th, but the mutant virus was confirmed late on February 3 because of the amount of virus in the sample.
As another alternative, there are voices saying that facility isolation should be expanded for all foreign visitors, but this is also not easy. In a briefing on the 4th, Kwon Jun-wook, head of the 2nd vice president of Bang Dae-bon, explained, “There is a situation where the use of facility isolation is difficult due to lack of resources.”
◇ Expert “You should pay attention to personal quarantine”… Quarantine authorities “Efforts to prevent domestic occurrence”
Experts eventually explain that reducing the total number of corona19 confirmed cases is a way to prevent the spread of the mutant virus.
Since the mutant virus is also a type of Corona 19 virus, the spread of the mutant virus in Korea can be prevented by quarantine measures by the quarantine authorities and compliance with individual distances.
In addition, some argue that vaccination starting in February should be done more quickly.
Professor Eun-mi Chun said, “In the end, to prevent the mutant virus, there is only one way to prevent the spread of the existing virus, as there is a limit to preventing the mutant virus.” Explained.
The quarantine authorities are planning to monitor as much as possible by expanding the analysis of the entire genome.
The quarantine authorities are currently conducting thorough investigations on one continent in five countries. The country where the mutant virus has occurred is conducting a thorough investigation, selecting 20% of those entering the epidemic country and 10% of the countries where the mutant virus has been found, and conducting a full-length genome analysis.
Lee Sang-won, director of epidemiological investigation and analysis at Bang Dae-bon, said at a regular briefing on the 6th, “Currently, the full-length genome analysis needs to be increased. However, it is not the concept of increasing the number of countries, but plans to increase the number of specimens depending on the situation.”
“We are confirming the spread of mutant virus as a global problem, and we believe that the influx of mutant virus can continue in Korea.” “Before vaccination, such threats and challenges will continue. “I need this.”