A total of 128 mutant viruses have been identified since October. yunhap news
The number of confirmed cases of the mutant virus, which has a stronger transmission power than the existing novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), increased.
On the 22nd, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Central Defense Countermeasure Headquarters (Bangdaebon) analyzed a total of 85 cases (56 cases domestically and 29 cases imported from overseas) after the 20th, and revealed that nine additional mutant viruses were confirmed. The nine mutant viruses discovered this time were all mutant viruses originating from the UK, and a total of 128 mutant viruses identified since October last year (109 cases from the UK, 13 cases from South Africa, and 13 from Brazil). There are 6 mutant infections).
Of the additional cases, 6 were from overseas and 3 were domestic. One out of six foreigners was confirmed in the quarantine stage, four were confirmed by tests conducted during self-quarantine after entering the country, and the other was confirmed by tests conducted after entering Korea as quarantine exemptions.
All three of the domestic infections were foreigners, and the results of an additional examination of the family and relatives of the confirmed patients related to the’Gyeonggi Yeoju Relatives Meeting’ were confirmed, and all of them were found to be British mutant viruses. After the first confirmed person came out at a relative meeting in Yeoju on the 10th, through a contact investigation, 27 people (all foreigners) were confirmed as corona19 by the 17th, and 10 of them were confirmed as mutant viruses.
“The mutant virus also affects the infectivity and antibody formation,” said Eun-kyung Chung, head of the Korea Disease Commission. “Factors such as how much it affects the vaccine and how much it enters and spreads in Korea are important variables and risk factors for achieving group immunity. It is” he said.
In order to block the mutant virus, the government is obligated to submit a negative PCR confirmation letter for all foreign visitors starting on the 24th. Commissioner Chung said, “In addition to the UK, South Africa, and Brazil mutant viruses, various mutant viruses have been reported in Japan and the United States, so there is a possibility that these viruses may be introduced into Korea.” We will promote single-room quarantine and expand the analysis of mutant viruses.”
Reporter Lee Tae-yoon [email protected]