- Performance of indicators used in regular risk assessments for COVID-19 in association with contextual factors
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Sujin Hong, Jiyoung Oh, Jia Lee, Yongmoon Kim, Bryan Inho Kim, Min Jei Lee, Hyunjung Kim, Sangwoo Tak
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Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024;15(5):420-428. Published online October 31, 2024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0141
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 Graphical Abstract
 Abstract
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 - Objectives
This study aimed to summarize the results of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk assessments and to examine the associations between risk levels and various indicators, including COVID-19 incidence, risk perception, community mobility, and government policy.
Methods
The results of the risk assessment and the indicators utilized were summarized. From November 2021 to May 2022, the COVID-19 risk level was evaluated on a weekly basis, and its correlation with these indicators was analyzed. Data were obtained from press releases by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, regular surveys conducted by Hankook Research, and information available on the Google and Oxford websites.
Results
Weekly risk assessments were conducted for 30 weeks, using different indices depending on the phases. Correlation analysis revealed the strongest positive correlation between risk level and risk perception (r=0.841). The risk level from “1-week lead” demonstrated a strong positive correlation with the time-varying reproduction number (Rt). Similarly, the risk level from “week lagged value” showed a strong positive correlation with the number of severe cases in the hospital.
Conclusion
At the time of risk assessment, the Rt precedes the risk level, while severe cases in hospitals follow. Therefore, the assessed risk level functioned as an early warning system. Risk perception demonstrated the strongest correlation with the risk level, suggesting consistency throughout the assessment period. Contextual indicators (e.g., risk perception) that consider time lags and implementation scales, could improve the evaluation of future risk assessment results, particularly when there are challenges in reflecting specific situations in coordinated emergency response.
- Association between face covering policies and the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 in European countries
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Sookhyun Kim, Jiyoung Oh, Sangwoo Tak
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Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2023;14(1):31-39. Published online February 1, 2023
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2022.0287
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Graphical Abstract
Abstract
PDF
 - Objectives
This study was conducted to determine the impact of the strengthening or relaxation of face covering mandates on the subsequent national case incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Europe as the full vaccination rate was increasing.
Methods
European countries in which case incidence increased for 3 consecutive weeks were monitored and analyzed using COVID-19 incidence data shared by the World Health Organization (WHO). The epidemic trend of COVID-19 in Europe was compared with that of countries elsewhere in the world based on WHO weekly epidemiological reports from June 20 to October 30, 2021. In addition, this study provided insight into the impact of government mask mandates on COVID-19 incidence in Europe by measuring the index scores of those facial covering policies before and after mandate relaxation or strengthening. The effects of the vaccination rate and the speed of vaccination on COVID-19 incidence were also analyzed.
Results
The incidence of COVID-19 after the relaxation of face covering mandates was significantly higher than before relaxation. However, no significant difference was observed in vaccination rate between countries with increased and decreased incidence. Instead, rapid vaccination delayed the resurgence in incidence.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that face covering policies in conjunction with rapid vaccination efforts are essential to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by  - Non-pharmaceutical interventions in containing COVID-19 pandemic after the roll-out of coronavirus vaccines: a systematic review
Xiaona He, Huiting Chen, Xinyu Zhu, Wei Gao
BMC Public Health.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
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