Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives

Brief Reports

Early countermeasures to COVID-19 at long-term care facilities in Gwangju Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea: Hye-Jin Kim, Jieun Kim, Yoon Suk Jang, Hanul Park, Jong Mu Kim, Young Joon Park, So-Yeon Ryu, Jun Hwi Cho, So Yeong Park, Sang-Eun Lee; Received November 7, 2022 Accepted December 27, 2022 Published online February 1, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2022.0293 [Epub ahead of print]

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Abstract PDF: Objectives
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has continued since its first detection in the Republic of Korea on January 20, 2020. This study describes the early countermeasures used to minimize the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks during cohort quarantine and compares the epidemiological characteristics of 2 outbreaks in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Gwangju Metropolitan City in summer 2020.
Methods
An epidemiological investigation was conducted via direct visits. We investigated epidemiological characteristics, including incidence, morbidity, and mortality rates, for all residents and staff members. Demographic characteristics were analyzed using a statistical program. Additionally, the method of managing infection in LTCFs is described.
Results
Residents and caregivers had high incidence rates in LTCF-A and LTCF-B, respectively. LTCF-B had a longer quarantine period than LTCF-A. The attack rate was 20.02% in LTCF-A and 27.9% in LTCF- B. The mortality rate was 2.3% (1/43) in LTCF-B, the only facility in which a COVID-19 death occurred.
Conclusion
Extensive management requires contact minimization, which involves testing all contacts to mitigate further transmission in the early stages of LTCF outbreaks. The findings of this study can help inform and prepare public health authorities for COVID-19 outbreaks, particularly for early control in vulnerable facilities.

Early Intervention Reduces the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities in the Republic of Korea: Shin Young Park, Gawon Choi, Hyeyoung Lee, Na-young Kim, Seon-young Lee, Kyungnam Kim, Soyoung Shin, Eunsu Jang, YoungSin Moon, KwangHwan Oh, JaeRin Choi, Sangeun Lee, Young-Man Kim, Jieun Kim, Seonju Yi, Jin Gwack, Ok Park, Young Joon Park; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2020;11(4):259-264. Published online August 31, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2020.11.4.16

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This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on reported cases from long-term care facilities. As of April 20^th, 2020, 3 long-term care facilities in a metropolitan area of South Korea had reported cases of COVID-19. These facilities’ employees were presumed to be the sources of infection. There were 2 nursing hospitals that did not report any additional cases. One nursing home had a total of 25 cases, with an attack rate of 51.4% (95% CI 35.6–67.0), and a fatality rate of 38.9% (95% CI 20.3–61.4) among residents. The results from this study suggest that early detection and maintenance of infection control minimizes the risk of rapid transmission.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding control measures on long-term care facilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Jun Zhang, Yushan Yu, Mirko Petrovic, Xiaomei Pei, Qing-Bao Tian, Lei Zhang, Wei-Hong Zhang
Age and Ageing.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
A scoping review of the impacts of COVID-19 physical distancing measures on vulnerable population groups
Lili Li, Araz Taeihagh, Si Ying Tan
Nature Communications.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Staffing Levels and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths in Korean Nursing Homes
Jiyeon Lee, Juh Hyun Shin, Kyeong Hun Lee, Charlene A. Harrington, Sun Ok Jung
Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice.2022; 23(1): 15. CrossRef
An Experience of the Early Stage of COVID-19 Outbreak in Nursing Homes in Gyeonggi Province, Korea
Gawon Choi, Na-young Kim, Seon-young Lee, Hae Deun Noh, Heeyoung Lee
Korean Journal of Clinical Geriatrics.2022; 23(1): 27. CrossRef
The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for long term care facilities
Muh-Yong Yen, Jonathan Schwartz, Po-Ren Hsueh
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases.2022; 35(4): 370. CrossRef
Health impact of the first and second wave of COVID-19 and related restrictive measures among nursing home residents: a scoping review
Marjolein E. A. Verbiest, Annerieke Stoop, Aukelien Scheffelaar, Meriam M. Janssen, Leonieke C. van Boekel, Katrien G. Luijkx
BMC Health Services Research.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Epidemiology and clinical features of COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Mohammad Rashidul Hashan, Nicolas Smoll, Catherine King, Hannah Ockenden-Muldoon, Jacina Walker, Andre Wattiaux, Julieanne Graham, Robert Booy, Gulam Khandaker
EClinicalMedicine.2021; 33: 100771. CrossRef
Protecting Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities From COVID-19: A Rapid Review of International Evidence
Sally Hall Dykgraaf, Sethunya Matenge, Jane Desborough, Elizabeth Sturgiss, Garang Dut, Leslee Roberts, Alison McMillan, Michael Kidd
Journal of the American Medical Directors Associat.2021; 22(10): 1969. CrossRef
Dementia Risk among Coronavirus Disease Survivors: A Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea
Hye-Yoon Park, In-Ae Song, Tak-Kyu Oh
Journal of Personalized Medicine.2021; 11(10): 1015. CrossRef

Original Article

Results of Tuberculosis Contact Investigation in Congregate Settings in Korea, 2013: Yunhyung Kwon, So Jung Kim, Jieun Kim, Seol-yi Kim, Eun Mi Song, Eun Jung Lee, Yun Choi, Yejin Kim, Byoung ok Lim, Da Sul Kim, Duksun Choi, Hye Sung Kim, Ji Eun Park, Ji-eun Yun, Jin A. Park, Jong Rak Jung, Joo-kyoung Kim, Sang Hee Kang, Seo Yean Hong, Seung Jae Lee, Soo Jin Park, Sun Hwa Park, Sunhye Yoon, Yoonsun Kim, Yunjeong Choi, Yun Jeong Seo, Yul A Seo, Jiseon Park, Minhee Sung, Minjang Shin, Hyunjin Son, Yeonkyeng Lee, Unyeong Go, Geun-Yong Kwon; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2014;5(Suppl):S30-S36. Published online December 31, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrp.2014.10.010

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Abstract PDF

Objectives
This study aimed to check the status of the contact investigation in congregate settings to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in the Republic of Korea.
Methods
The “Integrated System for Disease and Public Health Management” is used for care and follow-up for patients and contacts of TB. We downloaded data for contact investigations conducted from January to December 2013.
Results
A total of 1,200 contact investigations in congregate settings were carried out by 25 field investigators in 2013. We performed the status of contact investigation, TB, and LTBI rate by age, accept rate of LTBI treatment, and complete rate of LTBI treatment during 2013. A total of 1,547 index TB patients, 149,166 contacts, and 259 additional TB patients were found through the investigation. Kindergartens showed the highest LTBI rate, 19.8%, among educational facilities. The second highest was in elementary schools and the subtotal LTBI rate of educational facilities was 7.8%. Social welfare/correctional facilities and workplaces showed relatively high LTBI rates of 23.8% and 23.6%, respectively. By age, individuals >35 years showed the highest LTBI rate, followed by those aged 0–4 years, 30–34 years, and 5–9 years, with rates of 18.1%, 16.4%, and 15.4% respectively. When comparing the tuberculin skin test (TST) positive conversion ratio by facility, middle school and high school were relatively high compared to the others. The accept rate of LTBI treatment in the workplace was lowest at 63% and the complete rate in elementary schools was lowest at 76.5%.
Conclusion
TB contact investigation is considered as a meaningful strategy for preventing TB outbreaks in congregate settings and decreasing the prevalence of TB in young people. Results of this study could be used to establish the LTBI management policy.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Latent Tuberculosis Cascade of Care Among Healthcare Workers: A Nationwide Cohort Analysis in Korea Between 2017 and 2018
Jinsoo Min, Hyung Woo Kim, Joon Young Choi, Ah Young Shin, Ji Young Kang, Yunhee Lee, Jun-Pyo Myong, Hyunsuk Jeong, Sanghyuk Bae, Hyeon-Kyoung Koo, Sung-Soon Lee, Jae Seuk Park, Hyeon Woo Yim, Ju Sang Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Risk of active tuberculosis development in contacts exposed to infectious tuberculosis in congregate settings in Korea
Shin Young Park, Sunmi Han, Young-Man Kim, Jieun Kim, Sodam Lee, Jiyeon Yang, Un-Na Kim, Mi-sun Park
Scientific Reports.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
The risk of active tuberculosis among individuals living in tuberculosis-affected households in the Republic of Korea, 2015
Jiyeon Yang, Sodam Lee, Suhyeon Oh, Sunmi Han, Shin Young Park, Youngman Kim, Jieun Kim, Mi-sun Park, Philip C. Hill
PLOS ONE.2019; 14(12): e0225744. CrossRef
The Infectivity of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Korean Army Units: Evidence from Outbreak Investigations
Chang-gyo Yoon, Dong Yoon Kang, Jaehun Jung, Soo Yon Oh, Jin Beom Lee, Mi-Hyun Kim, Younsuk Seo, Hee-Jin Kim
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.2019; 82(4): 298. CrossRef
Tuberculosis prevention and care in Korea: Evolution of policy and practice
Unyeong Go, Misun Park, Un-Na Kim, Sodam Lee, Sunmi Han, Joosun Lee, Jiyeon Yang, Jieun Kim, Shinyoung Park, Youngman Kim, Hyosoon Yoo, Jeongok Cha, Wonseo Park, Haeyoung Kang, Hwon Kim, Guri Park, Minjung Kim, Ok Park, Hyunjin Son, Enhi Cho, Kyoungin Na,
Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobac.2018; 11: 28. CrossRef
The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Health Care Workers Working in a Tertiary Hospital in South Korea
Jae Seuk Park
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.2018; 81(4): 274. CrossRef

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