Domestic Variant Virus Confirmed Cases Total 54
Mandatory Submission of PCR Negative Certificate for All Arrivals from Africa
On the 3rd, citizens are waiting for tests at a temporary COVID-19 screening site set up at Seoul Plaza. The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight that day, there were 467 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total to 79,311. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Three additional cases of COVID-19 variant virus infections have been confirmed. As a result, the total number of variant virus cases in the country has increased to 54.
The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 8th that, after analyzing a total of 77 cases (65 domestic, 12 overseas) since the 2nd of this month, variant viruses were detected in 3 of the 12 imported cases. All were confirmed at the quarantine stage and involved Korean nationals infected with the UK variant virus. They entered the country from Hungary, Poland, and Ghana, respectively.
Contact tracing for the new confirmed cases has so far found no additional variant virus infections. However, as two passengers seated near the confirmed cases on the same flight tested positive for COVID-19, variant virus testing is currently underway. As of midnight on the day, analysis of a total of 2,737 variant virus cases has been completed.
Accordingly, since October last year, a total of 54 variant virus cases have been confirmed domestically. The UK variant accounts for the majority with 40 cases, followed by the South African variant with 9 cases, and the Brazilian variant with 5 cases.
Furthermore, as the number of variant virus cases increases, the government has decided to mandate submission of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test certificate for foreigners entering from Africa as well as Korean nationals starting from the 22nd. PCR testing conducted at temporary living facilities after entry will also be expanded to cover all entrants, including short-term foreign visitors, Korean nationals, and both long-term and short-term foreign residents. Genetic mutation analysis will also be conducted.
From the 15th, submission of a negative PCR test certificate will also be mandatory for those exempt from quarantine upon entry. Additionally, management will be strengthened by conducting PCR tests between 5 to 7 days after entry.
Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated at a briefing that “Quarantine management for overseas entrants will also be strengthened. We repeatedly urge those subject to self-quarantine upon entry and their cohabiting family members to strictly adhere to self-quarantine guidelines until the quarantine period is lifted.”
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