#16,372
Earlier today, in South Korea Sets New Record (n=5,123) For Daily COVID Cases - Preparing For Omicron, we looked at an initial report of a suspected cluster of Omicron variant infections in a family living in Incheon, where two members has recently returned from Nigeria.
In the past hour, South Korea's CDC has confirmed three of those cases (2 family members & acquaintance) , while testing on 4 others is pending. Additionally, two more imported cases - also returning from Nigeria - have tested positive.
While we still don't have any evidence to suggest that Omicron is more dangerous than Delta, it continues to demonstrate impressive transmissibility.
The following (machine translated) excerpt from today's announcement suffers a bit from kludgy syntax, but is certainly readable.
A total of 5 confirmed cases of the Omicron mutant virus in Korea were implemented urgently for additional measures to block the inflow into Korea and prevent its spread
Posted on 2021-12-01
Last modified date of 2021-12-01
Department in charge Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters General Coordination Team
A total of 5 confirmed cases of the Omicron mutant virus in Korea were implemented urgently for additional measures to block the inflow into Korea and prevent its spread
◇ Omicron mutation confirmed in a total of 5 people including couples in their 40s who entered Nigeria after visiting Nigeria
◇ Prepare a countermeasure plan by holding an emergency meeting of the inter-ministerial task force to respond to new mutations and the relevant ministries to evaluate the situation of overseas inflows
◇ Additional designation of Nigeria as a quarantine-strengthened country, a dangerous country, and a country exempted from quarantine in the existing 8 countries including South Africa
◇ All countries發entrants 10 days isolation and PCR tests three embodiments times
[A total of 5 confirmed cases of Omicron mutated virus]
□ The Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters (Director Jeong Eun-kyung) announced on November 30 (Tuesday) that omicron mutations were suspected and 3 cases of whole-genome testing* were confirmed as omicron mutations.
○ The index couple, who traveled to Nigeria* after completing vaccinations in Korea and entered the country on November 24, were subject to exemption from quarantine.
* Completed the second dose of Moderna on October 28th. November 14-23 travel to Nigeria. Arrival at Incheon International Airport on November 24th at 15:30 via Ethiopia from Nigeria on November 23rd
○ Through contact tracing of cases in which Omicron mutation was confirmed, family members (2 people) and acquaintances (1 person) of Case #4 were additionally confirmed, and additional cases (#5~#7) were confirmed. Full-length genome analysis is ongoing.
* The previous day (November 30. Thursday), the case (#4) that was reported as confirmed on November 30 and in their 40s in the press release was additionally confirmed by age group (40s → 30s) and confirmation date (11.30. → 11.29.) change.
○ Meanwhile, contact tracing management of confirmed Omicron (#1, 2, 4) and epidemiologic related cases (#5~#7) is in progress.
- So far, one additional confirmed case of passengers* on the same aircraft used by the index couple (#1~#2) was confirmed as a delta as a result of mutation analysis.
* A total of 45 people, including married couples, entered the country, *** 8 residents
- The contact investigation for cases #3 to #7 is being conducted quickly with priority on family, work, and acquaintances.
□ Meanwhile, as a result of analyzing Omicron mutations in overseas confirmed cases other than the above cases, two additional cases of Omicron mutation were confirmed on December 1, and contact tracing is under way.
* #8~#9 female in her 50s (acquaintance relationship), visited Nigeria (11.13~22), entered on November 23rd, confirmed on November 24th
[Held a TF to respond to new mutations]
□ The government organized the “New Mutation Response Pan-Ministry Task Force” and held the first meeting today for a quick response to block the inflow of Omicron mutations and prevent domestic transmission.
○ The pan-ministerial task force to respond to new mutations is headed by the head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is composed of high-ranking public officials at the relevant department* level.
* Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Office of National Affairs, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Ministry of Public Administration and Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, etc.
○ Regular and occasional meetings will be held once a week to discuss cross-ministerial countermeasures to identify overseas trends, block foreign inflows, monitor and analyze mutations, and block domestic radio waves. It will be implemented as soon as possible after reporting to the task force headquarters.
(Continue . . . )
In light of these recent cases, South Korea has formed a new Task Force, and is ramping up their defenses against the spread of this new variant, and has directed:
① Reinforcement of overseas inflow management
② Enhanced Genomic Surveillance③ Strengthening of quarantine measures related to Omicron
In the future, the Central Quarantine Countermeasure Headquarters plans to expand or adjust the designation of countries with enhanced quarantine measures through continuous monitoring of the degree of risk and spread of Omicron mutated virus abroad.
Stay tuned.
