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Epidemiology and Surveillance

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Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(53): 3768-3776

Published online December 30, 2021

© The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

Importation and Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant of Concern, the Republic of Korea, December 2021

Hye Young Lee1, Ji Joo Lee1, Hanul Park1, Mi Yu1, Jong Mu Kim1, Sang-Eun Lee1, Young-Joon Park1, Moonsu Kim2, Seonggon Kim2, Hanna Yoo2, Mi Young Kim3, Jin Su Song3, Jihee Lee3, Jeong Hee Yu4, Eun-young Kim4, Hyo Seon Jeong4, Jae Hwa Chung4

1Central Disease Control Headquarters, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
2Incheon Metropolitan Government, Incheon
3Capital Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, KDCA
4Honam Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, KDCA

Abstract

Sections

On December 1, 2021, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of concern (VOC) was identified for the first time in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and a total of 123 cases with Omicron VOC were identified through quarantine and community epidemiological surveys. As of December 12, 2021, among them, a total number of cases (123), 90 cases were confirmed through RT-PCR and NGS analysis and 33 epidemiological related cases were divided. By infection route, 23 imported cases and 100 additional cases of transmission in local communities were identified.
In term of ages, gender, and vaccination, 63.4% (78 cases) were between 20 and 59 years of age, 57.7% (71 cases) were female, which marked a slightly higher than male, and 54.5% (67 cases) were unvaccinated. Asymptomatic at diagnosis were 24.4% (30 cases), and the main symptoms of Omicron VOC were fever 32.5% (40 cases), sore throat 30.9% (38 cases), cough 29.3% (36 cases), headache 20.3% (25 cases). There were no cases exhibiting severe symptoms and no deaths up to now. The average incubation period was 4.2 days (2-8 days), and the serial interval was 2.8 to 3.4 days. As a result of the initial analysis of the epidemiological properties of the 123 cases of the omicron VOC, this report will share information with the public and related experts. This report recommended that the KDCA continuoue to monitor and respond to the omicron VOC.

Key words Coronavirus disease 2019, SARS-CoV-2, Omicron, Variant of Concern

Sections
Table 1. Characteristics of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of concern (VOC) cases (123 cases), in the Republic of Korea, November 24-December 10, 2021
CharacteristicsNo.%
Age group
<203629.3
20-395443.9
40-592419.5
≥6097.3
Sex
Male5242.3
Female7157.7
International travel2318.7
COVID-19 vaccination statusa
Unvaccinated6754.5
Partially vaccinatedb75.7
Vaccinated4637.4
Symptom profile
Asymptomatic3024.4
Symptomatic9375.6
Initial signs or symptoms
Fever4032.5
Chills1915.4
Cough3629.3
Sputum1713.8
Sore throat3830.9
Headache2520.3
Myalgia1713.8
Anosmia/Ageusia10.8
Outcome
Severe Disease-
Death-

a Vaccination history except unconfirmed 3 person

b A partially vaccinated person had received a COVID-19 vaccine but not completed the primary series ≥14 days before illness onset or receipt of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result

Figure 1. Epidemic curve of Coronavirus-19 cases with the Omicron variant of concern (VOC)

Figure 2. Community transmission of the Omicron variant of concern (VOC) cases
A. Group 1 (11.24 import-related/church); B. Group 2 (11.25 import-related/Jeonbuk)

References

Sections
  1. World Health Organization (2021). Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants. https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variantsExternal. (cited 2021 December)
  2. Gu H, Krishnan P, Ng DYM, Chang LDJ, Liu GYZ, Cheng SSM, et al. Probable 146 Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Quarantine Hotel, Hong Kong, China, November 2021. Emerging infectious diseases 2021 Dec 3;28(2).
    Pubmed KoreaMed CrossRef
  3. Callaway E, Ledford H. How bad is Omicron? What scientists know so far. Nature 2021 Dec;600(7888):197-9.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  4. SARS- CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant - United States, December 1-8 , 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 10 December 2021. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7050e1external
  5. World Health Organization. Enhancing Readiness for Omicron (B.1.1.529): Technical Brief and Priority Actions for Member States (2021 December 10).

Epidemiology and Surveillance

Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(53): 3768-3776

Published online December 30, 2021

Copyright © The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Importation and Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant of Concern, the Republic of Korea, December 2021

Hye Young Lee1, Ji Joo Lee1, Hanul Park1, Mi Yu1, Jong Mu Kim1, Sang-Eun Lee1, Young-Joon Park1, Moonsu Kim2, Seonggon Kim2, Hanna Yoo2, Mi Young Kim3, Jin Su Song3, Jihee Lee3, Jeong Hee Yu4, Eun-young Kim4, Hyo Seon Jeong4, Jae Hwa Chung4

1Central Disease Control Headquarters, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
2Incheon Metropolitan Government, Incheon
3Capital Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, KDCA
4Honam Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, KDCA

Abstract

On December 1, 2021, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of concern (VOC) was identified for the first time in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and a total of 123 cases with Omicron VOC were identified through quarantine and community epidemiological surveys. As of December 12, 2021, among them, a total number of cases (123), 90 cases were confirmed through RT-PCR and NGS analysis and 33 epidemiological related cases were divided. By infection route, 23 imported cases and 100 additional cases of transmission in local communities were identified.
In term of ages, gender, and vaccination, 63.4% (78 cases) were between 20 and 59 years of age, 57.7% (71 cases) were female, which marked a slightly higher than male, and 54.5% (67 cases) were unvaccinated. Asymptomatic at diagnosis were 24.4% (30 cases), and the main symptoms of Omicron VOC were fever 32.5% (40 cases), sore throat 30.9% (38 cases), cough 29.3% (36 cases), headache 20.3% (25 cases). There were no cases exhibiting severe symptoms and no deaths up to now. The average incubation period was 4.2 days (2-8 days), and the serial interval was 2.8 to 3.4 days. As a result of the initial analysis of the epidemiological properties of the 123 cases of the omicron VOC, this report will share information with the public and related experts. This report recommended that the KDCA continuoue to monitor and respond to the omicron VOC.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019, SARS-CoV-2, Omicron, Variant of Concern

Body

Characteristics of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of concern (VOC) cases (123 cases), in the Republic of Korea, November 24-December 10, 2021
CharacteristicsNo.%
Age group
<203629.3
20-395443.9
40-592419.5
≥6097.3
Sex
Male5242.3
Female7157.7
International travel2318.7
COVID-19 vaccination statusa
Unvaccinated6754.5
Partially vaccinatedb75.7
Vaccinated4637.4
Symptom profile
Asymptomatic3024.4
Symptomatic9375.6
Initial signs or symptoms
Fever4032.5
Chills1915.4
Cough3629.3
Sputum1713.8
Sore throat3830.9
Headache2520.3
Myalgia1713.8
Anosmia/Ageusia10.8
Outcome
Severe Disease-
Death-

a Vaccination history except unconfirmed 3 person.

b A partially vaccinated person had received a COVID-19 vaccine but not completed the primary series ≥14 days before illness onset or receipt of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result.

Figure 1. Epidemic curve of Coronavirus-19 cases with the Omicron variant of concern (VOC)

Figure 2. Community transmission of the Omicron variant of concern (VOC) cases
A. Group 1 (11.24 import-related/church); B. Group 2 (11.25 import-related/Jeonbuk)

Fig 1.

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Figure 1.Epidemic curve of Coronavirus-19 cases with the Omicron variant of concern (VOC)
Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14: 3768-3776

Fig 2.

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Figure 2.Community transmission of the Omicron variant of concern (VOC) cases
A. Group 1 (11.24 import-related/church); B. Group 2 (11.25 import-related/Jeonbuk)
Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14: 3768-3776
Characteristics of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of concern (VOC) cases (123 cases), in the Republic of Korea, November 24-December 10, 2021
CharacteristicsNo.%
Age group
<203629.3
20-395443.9
40-592419.5
≥6097.3
Sex
Male5242.3
Female7157.7
International travel2318.7
COVID-19 vaccination statusa
Unvaccinated6754.5
Partially vaccinatedb75.7
Vaccinated4637.4
Symptom profile
Asymptomatic3024.4
Symptomatic9375.6
Initial signs or symptoms
Fever4032.5
Chills1915.4
Cough3629.3
Sputum1713.8
Sore throat3830.9
Headache2520.3
Myalgia1713.8
Anosmia/Ageusia10.8
Outcome
Severe Disease-
Death-

a Vaccination history except unconfirmed 3 person.

b A partially vaccinated person had received a COVID-19 vaccine but not completed the primary series ≥14 days before illness onset or receipt of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result.

References

  1. World Health Organization (2021). Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants. https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variantsExternal. (cited 2021 December)
  2. Gu H, Krishnan P, Ng DYM, Chang LDJ, Liu GYZ, Cheng SSM, et al. Probable 146 Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Quarantine Hotel, Hong Kong, China, November 2021. Emerging infectious diseases 2021 Dec 3;28(2).
    Pubmed KoreaMed CrossRef
  3. Callaway E, Ledford H. How bad is Omicron? What scientists know so far. Nature 2021 Dec;600(7888):197-9.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  4. SARS- CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant - United States, December 1-8 , 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 10 December 2021. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7050e1external
  5. World Health Organization. Enhancing Readiness for Omicron (B.1.1.529): Technical Brief and Priority Actions for Member States (2021 December 10).

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