All 64 Cheonghae Unit Members Tested Confirmed with 'Delta' Variant... "All 272 Members Presumed Infected with Variant"

Variant analysis completed: All 64 cases detected as 'Delta variant'
Health authorities "Managing according to Delta variant guidelines"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] It has been revealed that all confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Cheonghae Unit are highly likely to have been infected with the 'Delta variant.'

On the 4th, Park Young-jun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a COVID-19 briefing, "Among the 272 confirmed cases in the Cheonghae Unit, variant virus analysis was conducted on 64 individuals, and all were confirmed to be infected with the Delta variant."

Since all 64 individuals analyzed for variants were confirmed to be infected with the Delta variant, it is presumed that the remaining cases, which have not yet undergone variant analysis, are also infected with the Delta variant. Park explained, "Considering the exposure history and epidemiological characteristics of the remaining confirmed cases, the possibility of Delta variant infection is very high," adding, "They are being managed according to the Delta variant protocols."

Previously, the Cheonghae Unit, deployed in the Gulf of Aden, had over 90% of its total 301 personnel?272 members?confirmed positive. The personnel returned to Korea on the 20th of last month via military transport aircraft and received treatment at military hospitals and residential treatment centers. Currently, only four individuals remain in isolation: one at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital and three at the Armed Forces Daejeon Hospital.

However, the health authorities explained that none of the 272 confirmed cases are in critical or severe condition. Regarding the patients still undergoing treatment, Park stated, "It is not that they are in critical condition or have any special issues, but they have residual symptoms, and measures are being taken to alleviate these," adding, "They are preparing for discharge after symptom relief."