A new coronavirus variant called "cicada" is spreading worldwide. The pace is slower than past pandemic variants, but concerns are growing as the possibility of a summer resurgence overlaps with instability in syringe supplies at medical sites due to the Middle East war.
On the 20th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said at a regular briefing that it is closely monitoring domestic and international cases, including the recently spreading coronavirus variant "BA.3.2." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BA.3.2 spread from 23 countries in February this year to more than 33 countries as of April.
The variant was first reported in November 2024 in South Africa and then stayed quiet for a while, but detections have increased since September last year, showing signs of spreading again. It was nicknamed "cicada" because its long dormancy and reemergence resemble the insect's life cycle.
The spread is evident in Korea as well. According to the disease agency, BA.3.2's domestic share rose quickly from 3.3% in January to 12.2% in February and 23.1% in March. In Week 15 (Apr. 5–11), analysis of respiratory patient specimens showed a COVID-19 detection rate of 6.3%, up from 4.7% the previous week. Authorities said that if this trend continues, the overall detection rate is expected to rise in the summer.
Assessments of risk, however, remain cautious. The disease agency views BA.3.2 as less impactful than the delta and omicron variants that drove past surges. The World Health Organization (WHO) also said no increase in severity or virulence has been confirmed to date.
Vaccine effectiveness is also seen as holding up. Addressing some claims that "the vaccines currently in use are useless," the disease agency drew a line, saying that is not true, and emphasized that the WHO also recognizes the effectiveness of existing vaccines.
Still, it noted that the variant's immune-evasion characteristics could lead to some increase in cases, so it is closely watching the situation. Accordingly, the 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccination season will be extended from the original Apr. 30 to Jun. 30.
The problem is supply instability on the medical front lines. As the Middle East war drags on and disrupts supplies of petrochemical feedstocks, there are concerns about disruptions in essential medical consumables such as syringes and needles. Some hospitals and clinics already report shortages, and online distribution channels are seeing price hikes and stockouts.
In response, the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety said that as of the 17th, domestic syringe inventories total about 44.79 million units, a sufficient level. It also said manufacturers' daily production has expanded to more than 4.87 million units.
Still, perceived supply instability persists on the ground. The Ministery of Food and Drug Safety views panic buying driven by anxiety as distorting distribution and on the 20th launched a special crackdown on hoarding of syringes.
The criteria for determining hoarding include storing more than 150% of the monthly average sales volume for five days or longer, among others, and violations can result in up to three years in prison or fines of up to 1 billion won.
An official at the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety said, "Maintaining the response system is more important than the spread of the variant itself," adding, "We will manage vaccination in tandem with stabilizing supplies at medical sites."