4 Suspected Omicron Cases Show No Unusual Symptoms... Passenger Tracking (Comprehensive)

Confirmation of Omicron Variant Infection to Be Announced at 9 PM

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The four domestic confirmed cases suspected of being infected with the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, have shown no unusual symptoms so far, according to investigations.

The close contacts of the couple residing in Incheon, who are suspected indicators of Omicron variant infection, currently include 9 people: 2 cohabiting family members, 1 acquaintance, and 6 passengers seated near the couple on the airplane they used.

Among them, 1 acquaintance and 1 family member were additionally confirmed positive, and they are also suspected of Omicron variant infection along with the couple.

Health authorities are proactively conducting COVID-19 tests on 45 passengers who were on the same flight as the couple and 8 people living in the same communal residence as the couple.

On the 1st, Park Young-jun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), said at a background briefing regarding the health status of the four suspected Omicron variant cases, "There are no notable issues," adding, "Although these are suspected cases, there are no unusual symptoms other than respiratory symptoms and muscle pain."

According to health authorities, the couple in their 40s residing in Incheon visited Nigeria from the 14th to the 23rd of last month, returned on the 24th, and were confirmed COVID-19 positive on the 25th. Additionally, one acquaintance in his 40s and one child (son) of the couple’s two cohabiting family members were confirmed positive the day before.

The authorities are conducting confirmatory tests for the Omicron variant on the couple, the acquaintance, and the child, totaling four people. The confirmation of Omicron variant infection is expected after 9 PM today. The test results for the child will be announced this week.

Park stated, "The couple was confirmed positive the day after arrival, and no additional exposures have been identified other than the airplane, their home, and the acquaintance who assisted their movement."

The acquaintance and the child had no vaccination history. Accordingly, under the guidelines, they are classified as close contacts due to the couple’s confirmed diagnosis and must enter self-quarantine.

The four individuals?the couple, the acquaintance, and the child?are currently waiting at home for hospital bed allocation.

Authorities are checking whether the acquaintance had contact with others before isolation. They are also investigating why the acquaintance was confirmed positive five days after the couple’s diagnosis.

Authorities are verifying whether the confirmed child attended school or other places after being identified as a close contact. Park said, "Since they are managed as self-quarantine subjects, it is presumed they did not attend school, but we will confirm with the local government (Incheon City)."

The couple used a flight that departed Nigeria on the 23rd of last month, transited through Ethiopia, and arrived at Incheon Airport on the afternoon of the 24th. Among the passengers on the same flight, 45 entered the country.

The CDCH is conducting tests on the 45 passengers, and so far, one passenger has been confirmed COVID-19 positive.

This individual visited Chad, and although the seating arrangement suggests a low likelihood of contact with the suspected couple, the CDCH explained that an Omicron variant test is underway.

Park said, "So far, it appears there is a possibility of infection from another source," adding, "There is currently no PCR test result or epidemiological evidence to suspect the Omicron variant."