Among the COVID-19 viruses, the 'delta-type' mutation, which is known to have strong contagious power, is expected to become the dominant species in Korea soon.



Sohn Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Remediation Headquarters, said at a back briefing today (26th), "Last week, the detection rate of delta mutations rose to 48% of all infected people, and it is increasing rapidly, so it is objectively enough to predict whether it will exceed 50% in this week's situation. "He said.



The delta-type mutation is rapidly spreading not only in the metropolitan area but also in the non-metropolitan area.



According to the quarantine authorities, the detection rate of the delta-type mutation was only 3.3% in the fourth week of June (6.20~26), but it rose to 48.0% in the third week of July (7.18~24).



It has risen by 44.7 percentage points (p) in about a month, and if this trend continues, it is expected to exceed 50% soon.



The quarantine authorities have suggested the timing 'in August' or 'within a few weeks' and predicted that the delta-type mutation could become the dominant species in Korea, but that time has come even earlier.



Director Sohn said, "There is no difference in the transmission pattern of a mutant virus," he said. The characteristics are not different,” he explained.



Therefore, he added, "the quarantine response strategy does not change."



Director Sohn said, "Looking at various data, the delta mutation is characterized by a very fast propagation speed and strong propagation power. It seems that there is a problem that cannot be done.



He added, "It is a situation that requires efforts to block (the spread) through stronger and faster measures than before."



The delta-type mutation occurred in India and is known to be 1.64 times more powerful than the British 'alpha-type' mutation.



In particular, the risk of hospitalization among confirmed patients is also estimated to be 2.26 times higher. Recently, as the number of delta-type mutants has increased rapidly in major countries around the world, it is emerging as the dominant species accounting for more than half of the total number of infected people.  



(Photo = Yonhap News)