Positive Rate of 14.8% for Entries from China... "Strengthening Trend Analysis"

43 Positive Cases Among 43 Arrivals at Incheon Airport the Previous Day
1 in 7 Confirmed Positive Despite Submission of Negative Test Certificates
Positivity Rate Fluctuates Between 12% and 31%...Ongoing Monitoring

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 7th, the third day since the mandatory submission of negative COVID-19 test certificates for arrivals from China was implemented, the positive rate among arrivals was 14.8%. Due to significant daily fluctuations in the positive rate and China’s decision to lift quarantine requirements for its own arrivals starting the 8th, increasing movement is expected. Consequently, health authorities plan to strengthen analysis of positive rate trends.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 8th, among 1,267 people who arrived at Incheon International Airport from China the previous day, 291 short-term foreign visitors underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing at the airport testing center, with 43 testing positive. The positive rate was 14.8%. This means that despite submitting negative test certificates before arrival, about one in seven were confirmed positive after arriving in Korea.

Health authorities believe that some tested negative before arrival due to being in the incubation period but were confirmed positive after arriving in Korea. The positive rate among arrivals from China at the airport rose from 19.7% on the 2nd, to 26.5% on the 3rd, and 31.4% on the 4th, then fluctuated to 12.6% on the 5th?the first day of mandatory negative certificate submission?23.5% on the 6th, and 14.8% on the 7th. The Central Disease Control Headquarters stated, "There may be daily fluctuations, so observing trends over a certain period is necessary for analysis and forecasting."

Since the strengthening of quarantine measures on the 2nd, a cumulative total of 7,465 arrivals from China have entered through Incheon Airport. The cumulative positive rate among short-term visitors tested at the airport is 21.7%.

With the Chinese government lifting quarantine requirements for overseas arrivals starting today, the number of people traveling to and from China is expected to gradually increase. The Lunar New Year holiday, China’s largest festival, will begin on the 21st of this month. Although countries including Korea have tightened entry restrictions on arrivals from China, some Southeast Asian countries have no such restrictions, raising concerns that travelers may circumvent entry regulations by transiting through these countries.

Health authorities currently verify whether arrivals from neighboring regions such as Hong Kong and Macau have stayed or visited China within the past seven days during quarantine screening, and if so, impose a mandatory test on day one. For arrivals from Southeast Asia, travelers are required to report any visit or stay in China within the past seven days. Upon reporting, a mandatory test on day one of arrival is imposed.