13 cases of new Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 confirmed in Korea

An arrival from abroad passes by banners that lead to Covid-19 testing centers at Gimpo International Airport on Dec. 29. [NEWS1]

An Omicron subvariant that has been taking hold in the United States arrived in Korea last month, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

A case of the new variant, known as XBB.1.5, was first confirmed in the country on Dec. 8. There are now 13 cases in total.

Six infections were transmitted domestically while seven came from abroad.

XBB.1.5 is a subvariant of XBB, a variant that was first confirmed in the country in early October last year.

The subvariant is known to be very contagious, accounting for over 40 percent of Covid-19 cases in the United States, according to data from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last Friday.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]