New Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 detected in South Korea | Inquirer News

New Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 detected in South Korea

/ 05:29 PM January 03, 2023

New Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5

Pedestrians stand in line to receive COVID-19 tests at a testing center in Yongsan, Seoul, Monday. (Yonhap via The Korea Herald/Asia News Network)

SEOUL — Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, which has spread rapidly within the United States, already arrived in Korea last month, authorities confirmed Monday, raising concerns over the spread of the strain believed to have resistance against updated vaccines.

“XBB.1.5 variant has been detected in the country on Dec. 8, 2022. So far, a total of 13 XBB.1.5 cases have been confirmed, including six cases in Korea and seven cases from overseas,” the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said.

Article continues after this advertisement

That XBB, a recombinant of the BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 sublineages, entered Korea in October last year was confirmed earlier, but XBB.1.5 cases had not been counted.

FEATURED STORIES

XBB.1.5 is a subvariant of XBB, which was derived from BA.2, known as “stealth omicron.” As one of the most recent omicron subvariants, XBB.1.5 has recently spread at an alarming rate in the US with its high ability to evade immunity.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday, the XBB.1.5 subvariant accounted for 21.7 percent of all COVID-19 infections there as of Dec. 24, and then nearly doubled in a week to reach 40.5 percent of total COVID-19 cases as of Saturday.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that as of Dec. 24, only 5.7 percent of the COVID-19 cases in Korea were of subvariants, including XBB.1.5, but there is a possibility that XBB.1.5 will become dominant within a short period, as it has in the US.

Article continues after this advertisement

Concerns are growing as researchers at Columbia University recently announced that XBB subvariants have resistance against updated vaccines as well as Evusheld, a monoclonal treatment for COVID-19.

Article continues after this advertisement

Meanwhile, the government is tightening quarantine measures for entrants, widening the focus from mainland China to include Hong Kong and Macau.

Entrants departing from Hong Kong and Macau will also be subject to mandatory COVID-19 tests starting Saturday. Visitors must receive a PCR or rapid test before entering the country and fill out the Q-code questionnaire that asks about recent travel history and symptoms. COVID-19 tests after entering the country will be conducted only for those with symptoms.

Article continues after this advertisement

On Monday, which was the first day of strengthened quarantine measures for entrants from China, 61 out of 309 short-term visiting foreigners who came from China have tested positive. The government has prepared quarantine facilities that can accommodate up to 100 people, and plans to secure additional spare facilities in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon.

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Korea as announced Tuesday for the 24 hours of Monday was 81,056, recording over 80,000 on the day for four weeks in a row. The number of critically ill patients marked 620, maintaining over 600 for three consecutive days. The day’s death toll was 29.

RELATED STORIES

Philippines detects 81 COVID-19 cases of new XBB Omicron subvariant – DOH

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

New Omicron strain BQ.1 now in PH

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.

TAGS: COVID-19, South korea

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.