BA.2.12.1 and BA.4, which are subspecies of the Corona 19 Omicron mutant virus, and have fast transmission power, were identified for the first time in Jeju.
Jeju Island announced today (17th) that a Korean national who arrived from the United States was confirmed to be infected with BA.2.12.1, a sub-variant of the Omicron mutant virus.
The province reported that Mr. A came to Jeju on the 24th of last month and was diagnosed with Corona 19 on the day of arrival and was treated at home until the 1st of this month.
There are currently 7 contacts, of which 5 have tested negative and 2 have tested positive.
In addition, it was confirmed that foreigner B, who entered South Africa, was infected with the BA.4 mutant virus.
Mr. B came to Jeju on the 27th of last month, was confirmed on the day of arrival, and was treated at home until the 3rd of this month.
There are three contacts of Mr. B, and all three of them are currently confirmed as negative.
The province is strengthening the monitoring of additional contacts and the occurrence of symptoms of contacts.
BA.2.12.1 is estimated to be a factor in the increase in the number of New York cases.
It shows a 20-27% faster infection rate than conventional BA2, but no difference in severity and clinical increase has been confirmed so far.
BA.4 is currently confirmed in 17 countries, including South Africa and the United Kingdom, and another mutation, BA.5, has been identified in 18 countries, including South Africa and Germany.
BA.4 and BA.5 are estimated to increase the number of confirmed cases in South Africa.