On the 1st, five confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) ‘Omicron mutation’ were confirmed in Korea. As the ‘nth infection’ has occurred through some confirmed cases, more than 100 contacts have been identified so far. According to the final analysis result, the possibility that community transmission is already in progress cannot be excluded. In the context of the worst domestic Corona 19 epidemic in history, as a new mutation, which is believed to have strong transmission power, was introduced, the quarantine authorities decided to increase the number of countries subject to entry bans for foreigners.
○ At least 100 contacts related to Omicron
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced that a married couple in their 40s, who was confirmed to be Corona 19 on the 25th after arriving from Nigeria on the 24th of last month, was confirmed to have Omicron mutation as a result of a close examination (whole genome test). B, an acquaintance in his 30s, who drove the couple from Incheon International Airport to their home by car, was also confirmed to have Omicron mutation. The results of the detailed examination of Mr. A’s teenage son are scheduled to come out on the 2nd, but under the circumstances, it is highly likely that it is an Omicron mutation.
Among the passengers who were on the same aircraft when Mr. A and his wife entered Korea, 43 arrived in Korea. The quarantine authorities classified six people who sat in the seat close to Mr. A and his wife as close contacts, and the rest of the passengers are also being tested for COVID-19. Eight people, including the neighbors of the townhouse where A lives, are also investigating the possibility of exposure.
According to the quarantine authorities, B took couple A to their house on the 24th and met acquaintances and used several multi-use facilities before being diagnosed with COVID-19 on the 29th. A total of three people, including two family members and one acquaintance of Mr. B, were also confirmed with COVID-19. The detailed test results for these three people will be released around the 4th day. If these are also confirmed as omicron mutations, it means that a third infection has occurred, leading to ‘A couple’s → B’ → B’s acquaintance. About 50 family members, coworkers, and acquaintances in contact with Mr. B are known.
○ Breakthrough infection in less than a month after moderna inoculation
Two women in their 50s who went to Nigeria regardless of Mr. A and his wife were also confirmed to have omicron mutations on the same day. After visiting Nigeria from the 13th to the 22nd of last month, they entered Korea on the 23rd and were confirmed with Corona 19 on the 24th. They were found not to have been vaccinated. Quarantine authorities are also tracking those who have come into contact with them.
As a result, there is growing concern that the transmission of omicron mutations in the community has begun. A Namibian diplomat, who was confirmed as the first infected person of Omicron in Japan on the 30th of last month, also passed through Incheon International Airport before entering Narita International Airport on the 28th. Park Young-joon, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters, said, “We are evaluating whether there was any risk of additional exposure in the diplomat’s movement.”
Couple A is also raising concerns in the fact that the infection broke through in less than a month after completing the basic vaccination of Moderna vaccine in Korea on October 28. In a domestic study, the Moderna vaccine had the best infection prevention effect, but it was neutralized by Omicron. The concern that the spike protein mutation of the Omicron mutation could break through the ‘immune shield’ of the vaccine became a reality in the case of Mr. A. “It is unlikely that existing vaccines will be as effective as the delta mutation against the omicron mutation,” Moderna CEO Stefan Bansel said in an interview with foreign media.
○ From the 3rd onwards, all inbound travelers will be quarantined for 10 days
The quarantine authorities decided to expand the number of countries subject to entry bans for foreigners. First of all, from 00:00 on the 3rd, all foreigners coming in from overseas for two weeks must be quarantined for 10 days regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not. Exemption from quarantine is limited to attending funerals and public affairs.
In particular, Nigeria, like eight countries, including South Africa, blocks entry of all short-term foreigners. Koreans and foreigners staying for a long period of time after entering the country are quarantined for 10 days in a temporary living facility and must undergo PCR testing a total of 4 times. For two weeks from the 4th, direct flights from Ethiopia will be suspended from entering Korea. Irregular flights are used to transfer overseas citizens.
Epidemiological investigations will be conducted within 24 hours of all persons who have come into contact with a confirmed case of Omicron mutation, and self-isolation will be conducted for 14 days without exception, even if the contact has been vaccinated. Omicron mutation patients are not treated at home and must be hospitalized.
Correspondent Cho Kyeon-hee becom@donga.com
Correspondent Kim So-min somin@donga.com
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