scholarly journals Nationwide Results of COVID-19 Contact Tracing in South Korea: Individual Participant Data From an Epidemiological Survey (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung Won Lee ◽  
Woon Tak Yuh ◽  
Jee Myung Yang ◽  
Yoon-Sik Cho ◽  
In Kyung Yoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Percentage Difference ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

BACKGROUND Evidence regarding the effectiveness of contact tracing of COVID-19 and the related social distancing is limited and inconclusive. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in South Korea and evaluate whether a social distancing campaign is effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. METHODS We used contract tracing data to investigate the epidemic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in South Korea and evaluate whether a social distancing campaign was effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. We calculated the mortality rate for COVID-19 by infection type (cluster vs noncluster) and tested whether new confirmed COVID-19 trends changed after a social distancing campaign. RESULTS There were 2537 patients with confirmed COVID-19 who completed the epidemiologic survey: 1305 (51.4%) cluster cases and 1232 (48.6%) noncluster cases. The mortality rate was significantly higher in cluster cases linked to medical facilities (11/143, 7.70% vs 5/1232, 0.41%; adjusted percentage difference 7.99%; 95% CI 5.83 to 10.14) and long-term care facilities (19/221, 8.60% vs 5/1232, 0.41%; adjusted percentage difference 7.56%; 95% CI 5.66 to 9.47) than in noncluster cases. The change in trends of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases before and after the social distancing campaign was significantly negative in the entire cohort (adjusted trend difference –2.28; 95% CI –3.88 to –0.68) and the cluster infection group (adjusted trend difference –0.96; 95% CI –1.83 to –0.09). CONCLUSIONS In a nationwide contact tracing study in South Korea, COVID-19 linked to medical and long-term care facilities significantly increased the risk of mortality compared to noncluster COVID-19. A social distancing campaign decreased the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea and differentially affected cluster infections of SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Nationwide Results of COVID-19 Contact Tracing in South Korea: Individual Participant Data From an Epidemiological Survey

10.2196/20992 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e20992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung Won Lee ◽  
Woon Tak Yuh ◽  
Jee Myung Yang ◽  
Yoon-Sik Cho ◽  
In Kyung Yoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Percentage Difference ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Background Evidence regarding the effectiveness of contact tracing of COVID-19 and the related social distancing is limited and inconclusive. Objective This study aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in South Korea and evaluate whether a social distancing campaign is effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Methods We used contract tracing data to investigate the epidemic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in South Korea and evaluate whether a social distancing campaign was effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. We calculated the mortality rate for COVID-19 by infection type (cluster vs noncluster) and tested whether new confirmed COVID-19 trends changed after a social distancing campaign. Results There were 2537 patients with confirmed COVID-19 who completed the epidemiologic survey: 1305 (51.4%) cluster cases and 1232 (48.6%) noncluster cases. The mortality rate was significantly higher in cluster cases linked to medical facilities (11/143, 7.70% vs 5/1232, 0.41%; adjusted percentage difference 7.99%; 95% CI 5.83 to 10.14) and long-term care facilities (19/221, 8.60% vs 5/1232, 0.41%; adjusted percentage difference 7.56%; 95% CI 5.66 to 9.47) than in noncluster cases. The change in trends of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases before and after the social distancing campaign was significantly negative in the entire cohort (adjusted trend difference –2.28; 95% CI –3.88 to –0.68) and the cluster infection group (adjusted trend difference –0.96; 95% CI –1.83 to –0.09). Conclusions In a nationwide contact tracing study in South Korea, COVID-19 linked to medical and long-term care facilities significantly increased the risk of mortality compared to noncluster COVID-19. A social distancing campaign decreased the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea and differentially affected cluster infections of SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Coronavirus Disease Pandemic: A Public Health Perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Gundu H R Rao ◽  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Care Facilities

The new novel coronavirus was discovered by a Scottish virologist in London in 1964. As is usual with new discoveries, it seems the article she wrote about this discovery, was rejected by a peer reviewed journal. Dr Almeida wrote to the prestigious journal Nature (Nature 220, 1968), outlining her findings and proposed the name “coronavirus” for the new family of viruses. The name referred to the “crown like” appearance, she first observed on these viruses by electron microscopy. While SARS CoV-2 infection seems to be in control in China (less than 100,000 for a population of over billion), where it originated, the epidemic has moved briskly to the rest of the world. What seemed to be impossible to achieve, - imposing and enforcing strict quarantine of people, -is now a reality in majority of the countries. Success of preventive efforts is related, to how best the key principles of prevention strategies are followed; testing for infection, contact tracing, social distancing, wearing masks, and containment of the infected individuals. In December of 2019, several people in Wuhan, China, developed pneumonia and respiratory failure, like what happened during SARS epidemic of 2003. This virus is easily transmissible by symptomatic as well as asymptomatic individuals. As early as January 2020, SARS CoV-2 virus was found to spread during workshops, company meetings. Hospitals seem to provide a favorable environment for the propagation of coronavirus disease(Covid-19). Long-term care facilities are high-risk settings for infections of respiratory diseases. In the long-term care facilities, majority of the senior citizens, seem to have pre-existing conditions, such as hypertension, obesity, type-2 diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, which puts them at high-risk associated with Covid-19 severity. Several mass gatherings have been associated with explosive outbreaks of Covid-19, including political rallies, protests, sports and entertainment events. The possible role of children in transmission of the coronavirus is still not clear. Several individuals who had recovered from the COVID-19 have tested positive again at a later date, suggesting that the infection has been reactivated. These observations raise question about immunity in covid-19 patients for future infections, as well as the ‘herd immunity’ that we all are hoping for. In the absence of an evidence-based cure, the only choice we have of preventing infection is social distancing, wearing masks where needed, hand washing, contact tracing, and containment. SARS CoV-2 virus spreads through a receptor called angiotensin(ACE 2), which is expressed on many cells including the nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, by attaching to these receptors via its spike like external projections.In view of this observation, there is considerable interest in interventions, that may prevent these interactions including vaccines. The mRNA-1273 Group members have published their preliminary report in NEJM (July 14, 2020) about the successful completion of a phase-1 study of 45 healthy adults, who received two vaccines containing stabilized perfusion of SARS CoV-2 spike protein. The vaccines seem to have induced the SARS CoV-2 immune response in all participants. These preliminary findings, support and encourage the development of such novel vaccines, as well as drugs that interfere with the host receptor and virus interaction

scholarly journals Spread of ceftriaxone non-susceptible pneumococci in South Korea: Long-term care facilities as a potential reservoir

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. e0210520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Joo Choi ◽  
Ji Yun Noh ◽  
Hee Jin Cheong ◽  
Woo Joo Kim ◽  
Min Ja Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Potential Reservoir

scholarly journals Feasibility of a Mobile Meal Assistance Program for Direct Care Workers in Long-Term Care Facilities in South Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol Volume 15 ◽  
pp. 2019-2029
Author(s):  
Dukyoo Jung ◽  
Jennie C De Gagne ◽  
Minkyung Lee ◽  
Hyesoon Lee ◽  
Kyuri Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Direct Care Workers ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Care Facilities

Nurses' Views on Infection Control in Long-Term Care Facilities in South Korea: A Focus Group Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Young Lee ◽  
Min-Hye Lee ◽  
Seong-Hyeon Lee ◽  
Yeon-Hwan Park
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Variation in Mortality Rates Among Long-Term Care Facilities for Residents With Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 754-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. Nicolle ◽  
S. Mubareka ◽  
A. Simor ◽  
B. Liu ◽  
S. McNeil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infection ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Objective.To identify variables contributing to interfacility differences in mortality among residents of long-term care facilities who have lower respiratory tract infection.Design.Multicenter, prospective, 1 -year observational study.Setting.Twenty-one long-term care facilities in 4 geographic areas of Canada.Participants.Residents of long-term care facilities prescribed antimicrobials for treatment of lower respiratory tract infection.Methods.Mortality rates were calculated for 3 definitions of lower respiratory tract infection: episodes with a clinical or radiographic diagnosis and treated with antimicrobials (definition 1); episodes with a physician diagnosis of pneumonia (definition 2); and episodes with chest radiography findings consistent with pneumonia (definition 3). Multilevel modeling was used to evaluate variables describing premorbid resident status, clinical presentation, management, and facility characteristics. Multivariable models were developed to identify independent predictors of mortality and determine whether facility-level variables remained independently associated with mortality rate after incorporation of individual-level variables.Results.Facility mortality rates varied from 0% to 17.8% for definition 1, from 0% to 47.1% for definition 2, and from 0% to 37.5% for definition 3. There were significant differences in mortality rate depending on which definition was used; for definitions 1 and 2, there were significant differences in mortality rate across facilities. Poorer premorbid resident status and a more severe presentation remained independent predictors of mortality in the multivariable analysis. There were also significantly increased mortality rates for episodes in which a fluoroquinolone was prescribed for initial treatment. For definitions 1 and 3, facility-level variables remained independently associated with mortality rate in the final multivariable model.Conclusions.Rates of mortality due to lower respiratory tract infection varied among long-term care facilities and differed within a facility, depending on the definition applied. Variables describing premorbid resident status, severity of presentation, and management did not fully explain the variation in mortality rate. Some facility-level variables remained independent predictors of mortality.

scholarly journals Social Distancing vs Social Interaction for Older Adults at Long-Term Care Facilities in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review and Synthesis of Action Plans

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110442
Author(s):  
Farhana Ferdous
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Care Facilities

The present study aimed to systematically analyze the impact of COVID-19-related social distancing requirements on older adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and to synthesize the literature into thematic action plans to minimize the adverse effects of social isolation. The search included articles published between December 2019 and August 2020 across four databases. The inclusion criteria were used to screen for studies that reported on social isolation and loneliness due to the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults living in LTCFs. This rapid review identified 29 relevant studies and synthesized them into four thematic action plans: technological advancement, remote communication, therapeutic care/stress management, and preventive measures. These thematic action plans and cost-effective strategies can be immediately adopted and used as a resource for all LTCF administrators, healthcare design professionals, and researchers in battling current COVID-19-related issues, and improving social interaction in older adults living in care facilities.

scholarly journals Epidemiological characteristics and factors influencing falls among elderly adults in long-term care facilities in Xiamen, China

Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. e14375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liangwen Zhang ◽  
Yanbing Zeng ◽  
Chenziheng Weng ◽  
Jiajin Yan ◽  
Ya Fang
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Elderly Adults ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics
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