The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Netflix apologizes for filming 'Single's Inferno 3' in marine sanctuary

  • 3

    In-N-Out Burger pop-up store attracts record crowd

  • 5

    Calls grow for female flight attendants to ditch skirts for pants

  • 7

    Hamburger franchises having trouble in M&A market

  • 9

    Man gets five-year jail term for K-pop concert ticket fraud

  • 11

    Small business owners urge stricter rules on migrant workers switching jobs

  • 13

    Transgender cyclist looks to spark debate in historic appearance

  • 15

    Suspect in grisly Busan murder sent to prosecutors for further probe

  • 17

    Nexon case reignites controversy over high level of inheritance tax

  • 19

    JYP to expand partnership with US music label

  • 2

    BTS' RM named honorary ambassador of war-remains excavation agency

  • 4

    'BLACKPINK the Game' showcases group's unique charm

  • 6

    EXO's Baekhyun, Xiumin and Chen in dispute with SM over contract issue

  • 8

    Pyongyang seeks to portray rocket as science effort by admitting failure: experts

  • 10

    Hallyu inspires Thailand to mull ways to export its culture

  • 12

    Police send girlfriend murder suspect to prosecution

  • 14

    From hardcore action to heart-throbbing romance, series to hit in June

  • 16

    Pandas at Everland become tourist magnet

  • 18

    S. Korea succeeds in L-SAM missile interception test for 3rd time

  • 20

    INTERVIEWFrench photographer highlights amazing transformations of dog meat farm survivors

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sat, June 3, 2023 | 07:31
Health & Science
ANALYSISWhy COVID-19 spread continues despite 97% antibody rate among population
Posted : 2022-09-25 16:27
Updated : 2022-09-26 16:45
Lee Hyo-jin
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
A woman walks with a mask in her hand on a street in Jung District, Seoul, Friday. The outdoor mask mandate, which went into effect from April 2021, will be fully lifted starting Monday. Yonhap
A woman walks with a mask in her hand on a street in Jung District, Seoul, Friday. The outdoor mask mandate, which went into effect from April 2021, will be fully lifted starting Monday. Yonhap

Waning immunity, emergence of new variants remain concerns

By Lee Hyo-jin

While a recent government study found that almost all Koreans have developed antibodies against the coronavirus either by vaccination or natural infection, this finding does not mean that the population has achieved herd immunity, according to health officials.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) unveiled on Friday the results of its latest study, which showed that 97.4 percent of those surveyed had antibodies against the spike protein (S) of the coronavirus. The survey, co-organized with the Korea National Institute of Health (NIH), involved some 10,000 people aged five and above living in 17 cities and provinces.

A COVID-19 antibody test checks whether an individual has developed S-antibodies or nucleocapsid protein (N)-antibodies. S-antibodies are produced either through natural infection or vaccination, while the N-antibodies are formed only through natural infection.

Although the vast majority of the population has developed antibodies against the coronavirus, people should still remain vigilant and receive an updated booster shot, health officials warn.

"A positive antibody test result does not necessarily mean that the person has high immunity to the virus. We also do not know the specific antibody levels of the individuals or whether they have neutralizing antibodies," Kwon Joo-wook, director of the NIH said during a briefing. A neutralizing antibody is an antibody that actually defends cells from pathogens and infections.

Government considers easing additional COVID-19 measures
Government considers easing additional COVID-19 measures
2022-09-25 17:09  |  Health & Science

A woman walks with a mask in her hand on a street in Jung District, Seoul, Friday. The outdoor mask mandate, which went into effect from April 2021, will be fully lifted starting Monday. Yonhap
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Commissioner Peck Kyong-ran, center, and Kwon Joon-wook, director of the Korea National Institute of Health, left, participate in a COVID-19 response briefing held at Government Complex Seoul, Friday. Newsis

He also said that the latest study has only confirmed the presence of antibodies for the original COVID-19 virus, not for the Omicron variant and its subvariants.

"Antibodies diminish over time and the possible emergence of new variants may weaken the protection offered by antibodies from a previous variant," he said, explaining that inoculation via a booster shot is essential after four months or longer following either infection or vaccination.

Kwon, however, expected that the high level of positive antibody rate among the population would help reduce the risk of falling critically ill and further bring down the fatality rate, which currently stands at 0.11 percent.

Another notable finding from the survey is the N-antibody positivity rate of 57.7 percent. The N-antibody is abundantly expressed during infections, so the figure indicates that nearly six out of 10 people have been infected with COVID-19. This figure is higher than the test-confirmed rate which stood at 38 percent as of late July. The presence of N-antibodies does not indicate immunity against reinfection, however.

The authorities presume that approximately 19.5 percent of the population, or 10 million people, have been infected without being included in the official case count. These "silent" virus carriers could have been asymptomatic, or may have avoided testing despite being ill, the KDCA said.

By age group, the percentage of these "silent infections" was the assumed to be the highest among those in their 40s and 50s: 27.62 percent and 24.83 percent, respectively.

"People in their 40s and 50s are considered the economically active population as breadwinners, with many of them assumed to be self-employed. They may have shunned getting tested on record even though they had symptoms, due to concerns about having to self-isolate," said Kim Dong-hyun, a professor of preventive medicine at Hallym University College of Medicine.

The survey results came as the government has recently lifted more COVID-19 restrictions. The outdoor mask mandate will be fully lifted from Monday, including at sports events, large rallies and concerts.

The health authorities will continue to review the gradual relaxation of the remaining measures such as the indoor mask mandate, the 7-day self-quarantine rule on virus carriers, as well as a PCR test requirement for all inbound travelers. They said they will maintain the indoor mask mandate for the time being in preparation for a possible COVID-19 resurgence during the flu season.

Meanwhile, the KDCA reported 25,792 new daily infections for Saturday, raising the aggregate total to 24,620,128.



Emaillhj@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Roland Garros 2023 Roland Garros 2023
2Airlines fiercely compete to acquire additional aircraft Airlines fiercely compete to acquire additional aircraft
3Seoul imposes sanctions on North Korean hacking group for role in space launch Seoul imposes sanctions on North Korean hacking group for role in space launch
4More banks offer daily interest payments on deposits More banks offer daily interest payments on deposits
5Hyundai Elevator launches AI, IoT-powered maintenance service Hyundai Elevator launches AI, IoT-powered maintenance service
6POSCO, GM expand joint EV battery materials investment in North America POSCO, GM expand joint EV battery materials investment in North America
7LG Chem joins Korean firms strengthening ties with Japan LG Chem joins Korean firms strengthening ties with Japan
8HMM tasked with preventing sale of Hyundai LNG to foreign firm HMM tasked with preventing sale of Hyundai LNG to foreign firm
9Korean stocks feared to lose steam on prolonged trade deficit, real estate doldrums Korean stocks feared to lose steam on prolonged trade deficit, real estate doldrums
10KAERI distances itself from Oxford professor's claim on Fukushima water KAERI distances itself from Oxford professor's claim on Fukushima water
Top 5 Entertainment News
1'HyeMiLeeYeChaePa' producer Lee Tae-kyung hopeful of second season 'HyeMiLeeYeChaePa' producer Lee Tae-kyung hopeful of second season
2How artist Michael Rakowitz resurrects lost past of Iraq through food packaging How artist Michael Rakowitz resurrects lost past of Iraq through food packaging
3From hardcore action to heart-throbbing romance, series to hit in June From hardcore action to heart-throbbing romance, series to hit in June
4[INTERVIEW] Lee Jun-hyuk unrecognizable in 'The Roundup: No Way Out' INTERVIEWLee Jun-hyuk unrecognizable in 'The Roundup: No Way Out'
5'Elemental' director on bringing his personal story of immigration to cinema 'Elemental' director on bringing his personal story of immigration to cinema
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group