A government analysis has shown that the initial virus emissions of those infected with the COVID-19 delta mutant virus are more than 300 times that of those infected with the non-mutant virus. This means that those infected with the delta mutation are very likely to transmit the initial infection.
The Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters announced on the 24th that it had analyzed the amount of virus in respiratory samples confirmed with COVID-19 after the onset of symptoms to examine the initial transmission of the delta mutation patient.
This analysis was conducted on 1848 samples of Delta mutation infected patients and 22,106 samples detected during the first, second, and third epidemics. At the time of the first epidemic, the S V strain was the main genotype, and in the second and third wave, the GH strain was the main genotype.
The days from symptom onset to confirmation of the delta mutation infected person were classified, and the average daily test value from the day of symptom onset to the 14th day after symptom onset was converted into virus amount and analyzed.
As a result, it was found that on the day of symptoms, the amount of the virus was about 300 times higher than that of the patient at the time of the first epidemic.
Thereafter, the difference showed a tendency to decrease by about 30 times on the 4th day and about 10 times or more on the 9th day. After 10 days, it was found that there was no difference in the amount of virus in any of the analytes.
The representative explained that in the case of delta mutation patients, it suggests a high possibility of transmission in the early stage of symptom onset.
An official from Bangdaebon said, “In the current situation where the delta mutation is prevalent, in order to block the transmission, if you suspect corona symptoms, you should be tested immediately. Compliance is more important than ever.”
Provided by the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters
Meanwhile, the detection rate of delta mutations in Korea for the past week was 89.6%. This is an increase of 4.3% compared to the previous two weeks.
According to the report, 2,899 cases of major mutations out of 3,206 cases of domestic infection in the past week were found, with a detection rate of 90.4%. Among them, there were 2,874 delta mutations, accounting for 89.6%.
The detection rate of delta mutations among mutations is skyrocketing. Delta’s share rose from 48% on the 18th of last month to 89.6% in just over a month.
Including imported mutations, the number of additional confirmed mutations last week was 3,062. With this, a total of 16,842 mutations have been identified since December last year. Among them, 3217 cases were alpha type, 149 cases of beta type, 22 cases of gamma type, and 13,454 cases of delta type.
