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Comparison of the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea: Importance of early public health intervention.
- Source :
-
International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases [Int J Infect Dis] 2021 Mar; Vol. 104, pp. 742-745. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 05. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Objectives: To compare epidemiologic features of the second and third waves of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in South Korea.<br />Methods: Nationwide COVID-19 data were collected between 6 May and 30 December 2020. The degree of social activity was estimated using an Internet search trend analysis program for leisure-related keywords, including 'eating-out', 'trip' and 'get directions' (transportation). Demographics, transmission chains, case fatality rates, social activity levels and public health responses were compared between the second (13 August-18 September 2020) and third (4 November 2020-present) waves.<br />Results: In comparison with the second wave, the third wave was characterized by delayed strengthening of social distancing policies (3 vs. 15 days), longer duration (36 vs. >56 days) and a higher case fatality rate (0.91% vs. 1.26%). There were significant differences in transmission chains between the second and third waves (P < 0.01). In comparison with the second wave, the proportion of local clusters (24.8% vs. 45.7%) was lower in the third wave, and personal contact transmission (38.5% vs. 25.9%) and unknown routes of transmission (23.5% vs. 20.8%) were higher in the third wave.<br />Conclusion: Early and timely interventions with strengthened social distancing policies should be implemented to suppress and control the COVID-19 pandemic effectively.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1878-3511
- Volume :
- 104
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33556610
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.004