"UK-Origin Variant COVID-19 More Dangerous for Young People and Women"

WSJ Reports That Such Doubts Arise Within the Medical Community

On the 20th, marking the first anniversary of the initial confirmed case of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in South Korea, citizens are undergoing testing at a temporary screening clinic set up in Seoul Plaza. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 26th (local time) that the new variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) originating from the UK is suspected by the medical community to pose a greater risk to women and younger age groups compared to the original virus.

Since last month, the number of young people and women in intensive care units in hospitals across the UK has been increasing. Some doctors believe this is not unrelated to the spread of the variant virus.

According to WSJ, in London and the East and Southeast regions of England, where the variant virus was first identified in September last year, the average age of ICU patients decreased from 61.4 years between September and November 2020 to 58.9 years between December 1, 2020, and January 21, 2021. During the same period, the proportion of female patients admitted also increased from 30.1% to 35.1%.

One hypothesis proposed by experts is that the variant can penetrate more cells in the body than the original virus, leading to more severe symptoms in infected individuals.

However, some argue that the increase in hospitalizations among young people and women is not necessarily due to the variant. Behavioral factors, such as increased movement among young people during the year-end and New Year holidays, may have played a role.

Meanwhile, the variant virus, first discovered in September last year and now spreading worldwide beyond the UK, is known to have a transmission rate up to 70% higher than the original virus.