COVID-19 Resurgence in Dandong, China, Raises Possibility of North Korea Influx Amid Emergence of New Variant Forms

Dandong City Health and Hygiene Committee "New COVID-19 Wave"

Volunteer from Dandong eating while sitting on the floor / Photo by Tencent capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] It has been revealed that the re-spreading COVID-19 virus variant in Dandong, Liaoning Province, is a different form from before. Dandong, Liaoning Province, is the largest trade hub between North Korea and China.

The Dandong Municipal Health Commission stated in a quarantine briefing on the 28th, "The recently re-spreading COVID-19 virus is the Omicron BA2.3 variant, which is different from the virus that spread in Dandong at the end of last month."

They also said, "The source of infection for the recent COVID-19 cases is different from those infected last month, indicating a new COVID-19 wave," and especially noted, "The COVID-19 situation in the border areas outside the river and sea connected to Dandong is severe, making it difficult to block external inflows."

They continued, "Quarantine work is complex and difficult, and it has a long-term nature." Some analysts have suggested that, based on the context of the announcement, the different form of variant may have been introduced from North Korea, where COVID-19 spread rapidly.

Earlier, after the first infected person was confirmed on the 24th of last month, Dandong city was fully locked down the next day on the 25th, and the North Korea-China freight train operation was also suspended on the 29th.