Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives

Original Article

Analysis of pregnant women with critically severe COVID-19 in Republic of Korea from February 2020 and December 2021: Ji Joo Lee, Sang-Eun Lee, Yeonjung Kim, Young-Joon Park; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2023;14(2):129-137. Published online April 5, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0025

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Objectives
This study aimed to describe the characteristics and risk factors for severe disease in pregnant women infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from the early days of the COVID-19 epidemic in Korea to the predominant period of the Delta variant.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 2020 and December 2021. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare severe and mild cases after adjusting for pregnant women’s age, nationality, infection route, outbreak area, infection period, symptoms, underlying disease, smoking status, trimester, and COVID-19 vaccination status.
Results
In total, 2,233 pregnant women were diagnosed with COVID-19 by December 2021. Among these, 96.7% had mild symptoms, 3.3% had severe symptoms, and 0.04% died. The risk factors for severe disease in pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 were being in the age group of 35 to 45 years, having hyperlipidemia, being in the second or third trimester of pregnancy at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, being infected during the Delta-predominant period, and having a fever (≥38 °C) at diagnosis. Furthermore, 47.1% of patients in the mild group and 84.9% of patients in the severe group had 3 or more risk factors.
Conclusion
Pregnant women with COVID-19 mainly experienced mild symptoms, but those with risk factors were at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Therefore, treatment and follow-up management should be thoroughly implemented.

Review Article

SARS-CoV-2 in brief: from virus to prevention: Hassan Karami, Zeinab Karimi, Negin Karami; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2022;13(6):394-406. Published online November 28, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2022.0155

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The recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), ahighly transmissible virus with a likely animal origin, has posed major and unprecedentedchallenges to millions of lives across the affected nations of the world. This outbreak firstoccurred in China, and despite massive regional and global attempts shortly thereafter, itspread to other countries and caused millions of deaths worldwide. This review presents keyinformation about the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease (namely,coronavirus disease 2019) and briefly discusses the origin of the virus. Herein, we also brieflysummarize the strategies used against viral spread and transmission.

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Surveillance of endemic coronaviruses during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Iran, 2021–2022
Hassan Karami, Kaveh Sadeghi, Sevrin Zadheidar, Fatemeh Saadatmand, Negar Mirsalehi, Nima Hoveidi Ardestani, Shirin Kalantari, Mohammad Farahmand, Jila Yavarian, Talat Mokhtari‐Azad
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.2023;[Epub] CrossRef

Brief Report

Presumed population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in South Korea, April 2022: Eun Jung Jang, Young June Choe, Seung Ah Choe, Yoo-Yeon Kim, Ryu Kyung Kim, Jia Kim, Do Sang Lim, Ju Hee Lee, Seonju Yi, Sangwon Lee, Young-Joon Park; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2022;13(5):377-381. Published online October 14, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2022.0209

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF

Objectives
We estimated the overall and age-specific percentages of the Korean population with presumed immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) as of April 2022 using the national registry.
Methods
We used the national coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and vaccination registry from South Korea, as described to define individuals with a previous history of COVID-19 infection, vaccination, or both, as persons with presumed immunity.
Results
Of a total of 53,304,627 observed persons, 24.4% had vaccination and infection, 58.1% had vaccination and no infection, 7.6% had infection and no vaccination, and 9.9% had no immunity. The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged at a time when the presumed population immunity ranged from 80% to 85%; however, nearly half of the children were presumed to have no immunity.
Conclusion
We report a gap in population immunity, with lower presumed protection in children than in adults. The approach presented in this work can provide valuable informed tools to assist vaccine policy-making at a national level.

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Predicting adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among South Korean adults aged 40 to 69 Years using the expanded health empowerment model
Su-Jung Nam, Tae-Young Pak
SSM - Population Health.2023; 22: 101411. CrossRef

Original Articles

Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 lineages and mutations circulating in a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea analyzed using Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing: Hyaekang Kim, Sung Hee Chung, Hyun Soo Kim, Han-Sung Kim, Wonkeun Song, Ki Ho Hong, Jae-Seok Kim; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2022;13(5):360-369. Published online October 11, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2022.0183

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Objectives
Despite the introduction of vaccines, treatments, and massive diagnostic testing, the evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has continued to overcome barriers that had slowed its previous spread. As the virus evolves towards increasing fitness, it is critical to continue monitoring the occurrence of new mutations that could evade human efforts to control them. Methods: We performed whole-genome sequencing using Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing on 58 SARS-CoV-2 isolates collected during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic at a tertiary hospital in South Korea and tracked the emergence of mutations responsible for massive spikes in South Korea. Results: The differences among lineages were more pronounced in the spike gene, especially in the receptor-binding domain (RBD), than in other genes. Those RBD mutations could compromise neutralization by antibodies elicited by vaccination or previous infections. We also reported multiple incidences of Omicron variants carrying mutations that could impair the diagnostic sensitivity of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based testing. Conclusion: These results provide an understanding of the temporal changes of variants and mutations that have been circulating in South Korea and their potential impacts on antigenicity, therapeutics, and diagnostic escape of the virus. We also showed that the utilization of the nanopore sequencing platform and the ARTIC workf low can provide convenient and accurate SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance even at a single hospital.

Seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in children and adolescents in Delhi, India, from January to October 2021: a repeated cross-sectional analysis: Pragya Sharma, Saurav Basu, Suruchi Mishra, Mongjam Meghachandra Singh; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2022;13(3):184-190. Published online June 10, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2022.0014

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF

Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess changes in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence among children and adolescents in Delhi, India from January 2021 to October 2021. Methods: This was a repeated cross-sectional analysis of participants aged 5 to 17 years from 2 SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveys conducted in Delhi, India during January 2021 and September to October 2021. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were detected by using the VITROS assay (90% sensitivity, 100% specificity). Results: The seroprevalence among 5- to 17-year-old school-age children and adolescents increased from 52.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.3%−54.3%) in January 2021 to 81.8% (95% CI, 80.9%−82.6%) in September to October 2021. The assay-adjusted seroprevalence was 90.8% (95% CI, 89.8%−91.7%). Seropositivity positively correlated with participants’ age (p<0.001), but not sex (p=0.388). A signal to cut-off ratio ≥4.00, correlating with the presence of neutralization antibodies, was observed in 4,814 (57.9%) participants. Conclusion: The high percentage of seroconversion among children and adolescents indicates the presence of natural infection-induced immunity from past exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the lack of hybrid immunity and the concomitant likelihood of lower levels of neutralization antibodies than in adults due to the absence of vaccination warrants careful monitoring and surveillance of infection risk and disease severity from newer and emergent variants.

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Severe Acute Hepatitis of unknown etiology presenting as pediatric acute liver failure: Analysis of likely etiology, clinical course and outcome
Bikrant Bihari Lal, Vikrant Sood, Ekta Gupta, Reshu Agarwal, Rajeev Khanna, Seema Alam
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Seroprevalence of SARS CoV-2 among children after the second surge (June 2021) in a rural district of South India: Findings and lessons from a population-based survey
Carolin Elizabeth George, Leeberk Raja Inbaraj, Shon Rajukutty, Roshni Florina Joan, Sangeetha Muthuraj, Sindhulina Chandrasingh
Frontiers in Pediatrics.2022;[Epub] CrossRef

Review Article

Immune-related therapeutics: an update on antiviral drugs and vaccines to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic: Iqra Mir, Sania Aamir, Syed Rizwan Hussain Shah, Muhammad Shahid, Iram Amin, Samia Afzal, Amjad Nawaz, Muhammad Umer Khan, Muhammad Idrees; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2022;13(2):84-100. Published online April 27, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2022.0024

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rapidly spread globally. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19, is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus with a reported fatality rate ranging from 1% to 7%, and people with immune-compromised conditions, children, and older adults are particularly vulnerable. Respiratory failure and cytokine storm-induced multiple organ failure are the major causes of death. This article highlights the innate and adaptive immune mechanisms of host cells activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and possible therapeutic approaches against COVID-19. Some potential drugs proven to be effective for other viral diseases are under clinical trials now for use against COVID-19. Examples include inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (remdesivir, favipiravir, ribavirin), viral protein synthesis (ivermectin, lopinavir/ ritonavir), and fusion of the viral membrane with host cells (chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, nitazoxanide, and umifenovir). This article also presents the intellectual groundwork for the ongoing development of vaccines in preclinical and clinical trials, explaining potential candidates (live attenuated-whole virus vaccines, inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines, DNAbased vaccines, protein-based vaccines, nanoparticle-based vaccines, virus-like particles and mRNA-based vaccines). Designing and developing an effective vaccine (both prophylactic and therapeutic) would be a long-term solution and the most effective way to eliminate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Original Articles

COVID-19 outbreak response at a nursing hospital in South Korea in the post-vaccination era, including an estimation of the effectiveness of the first shot of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1-S): Chanhee Kim, Geon Kang, Sun Gu Kang, Heeyoung Lee; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2022;13(2):114-122. Published online April 26, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0262

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Abstract PDF

Objectives
We descriptively reviewed a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak at a nursing hospital in Gyeonggi Province (South Korea) and assessed the effectiveness of the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in a real-world population. Methods: The general process of the epidemiological investigation included a public health intervention. The relative risk (RR) of vaccinated and unvaccinated groups was calculated and compared to confirm the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARSCoV-2) infection, and vaccine effectiveness was evaluated based on the calculated RR. Results: The population at risk was confined to ward E among 8 wards of Hospital X, where the outbreak occurred. This population comprised 55 people, including 39 patients, 12 nurses, and 4 caregivers, and 19 cases were identified. The RR between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups was 0.04, resulting in a vaccine effectiveness of 95.3%. The vaccination rate of the nonpatients in ward E was the lowest in the entire hospital, whereas the overall vaccination rate of the combined patient and non-patient groups in ward E was the third lowest. Conclusion: The first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (ChAdOx1-S) was effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. To prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in medical facilities, it is important to prioritize the vaccination of healthcare providers.

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COVID-19 Vaccination in Korea: Past, Present, and the Way Forward
Eliel Nham, Joon Young Song, Ji Yun Noh, Hee Jin Cheong, Woo Joo Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2022;[Epub] CrossRef

Phylogenetic and genome-wide mutational analysis of SARS-CoV-2 strains circulating in Nigeria: no implications for attenuated COVID-19 outcomes: Daniel B. Kolawole, Malachy I. Okeke; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2022;13(2):101-113. Published online April 22, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0329

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Objectives
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates are low in Nigeria compared to global trends. This research mapped the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in Nigeria and globally to determine whether the Nigerian isolates are genetically distinct from strains circulating in regions of the world with a high disease burden. Methods: Bayesian phylogenetics using BEAST 2.0, genetic similarity analyses, and genomewide mutational analyses were used to characterize the strains of SARS-CoV-2 isolated in Nigeria. Results: SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated in Nigeria showed multiple lineages and possible introductions from Europe and Asia. Phylogenetic clustering and sequence similarity analyses demonstrated that Nigerian isolates were not genetically distinct from strains isolated in other parts of the globe. Mutational analysis demonstrated that the D614G mutation in the spike protein, the P323L mutation in open reading frame 1b (and more specifically in NSP12), and the R203K/ G204R mutation pair in the nucleocapsid protein were most prevalent in the Nigerian isolates. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 strains in Nigeria were neither phylogenetically nor genetically distinct from virus strains circulating in other countries of the world. Thus, differences in SARS-CoV-2 genomes are not a plausible explanation for the attenuated COVID-19 outcomes in Nigeria.

Factors influencing acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in Malaysia: a web-based survey: June Fei Wen Lau, Yuan Liang Woon, Chin Tho Leong, Hoon Shien Teh; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2021;12(6):361-373. Published online November 25, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0085

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Objectives
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has set a precedent for the fastest-produced vaccine as a result of global collaboration and outreach. This study explored Malaysians’ acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors.
Methods
A cross-sectional anonymous web-based survey was disseminated to Malaysian adults aged ≥18 years old via social media platforms between July 10, 2020 and August 31, 2020.
Results
In the analysis of 4,164 complete responses, 93.2% of participants indicated that they would accept the COVID-19 vaccine if it was offered for free by the Malaysian government. The median out-of-pocket cost that participants were willing to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine was Malaysian ringgit (MYR) 100 (interquartile range [IQR], 100) if it was readily available and MYR 150 (IQR, 200) if the supply was limited. Respondents with a low likelihood of vaccine hesitancy had 13 times higher odds of accepting the COVID-19 vaccine (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.69 to 19.13). High perceived risk and severity were also associated with willingness to be vaccinated, with adjusted odds ratios of 2.22 (95% CI, 1.44 to 3.41) and 2.76 (95% CI, 1.87 to 4.09), respectively. Age and ethnicity were the only independent demographic characteristics that predicted vaccine uptake.
Conclusion
Public health strategies targeting perceived risk, perceived susceptibility and vaccine hesitancy could be effective in enhancing vaccine uptake.

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COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among teenagers and their parents in Zhejiang, China: An online cross-sectional study
Yu Huang, Qingqing Wu, Shuiyang Xu, Xiang Zhao, Lei Wang, Qiaohong Lv, Suxian Wu, Xuehai Zhang
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine.2023; 16(4): 176. CrossRef
Factors influencing parents’ hesitancy to vaccinate their children aged 5–11 years old against COVID-19: results from a cross-sectional study in Malaysia
Roy Rillera Marzo, Ritankar Chakraborty, Shean Yih Soh, Hui Zhu Thew, Collins Chong, Ching Sin Siau, Khairuddin Bin Abdul Wahab, Indang Ariati Binti Ariffin, Shekhar Chauhan, Ken Brackstone, Bijaya Kumar Padhi, Petra Heidler
Frontiers in Public Health.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Cross-sectional assessment of predictors for COVID-19 vaccine uptake: an online survey in Greece
Petros Galanis, Irene Vraka, Olga Siskou, Olympia Konstantakopoulou, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Ioannis Moisoglou, Daphne Kaitelidou
Vacunas.2022; 23: S60. CrossRef
Key predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Malaysia: An integrated framework
Jason Wei Jian Ng, Santha Vaithilingam, Mahendhiran Nair, Li-Ann Hwang, Kamarul Imran Musa, Anat Gesser-Edelsburg
PLOS ONE.2022; 17(5): e0268926. CrossRef
Intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose and associated factors in Malaysia
Li Ping Wong, Haridah Alias, Yan-Li Siaw, Mustakiza Muslimin, Lee Lee Lai, Yulan Lin, Zhijian Hu
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Ayenew Mose, Abebaw Wasie, Solomon Shitu, Kassahun Haile, Abebe Timerga, Tamirat Melis, Tadesse Sahle, Amare Zewdie, Dong Keon Yon
PLOS ONE.2022; 17(6): e0269273. CrossRef
When do persuasive messages on vaccine safety steer COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and recommendations? Behavioural insights from a randomised controlled experiment in Malaysia
Nicholas Yee Liang Hing, Yuan Liang Woon, Yew Kong Lee, Hyung Joon Kim, Nurhyikmah M Lothfi, Elizabeth Wong, Komathi Perialathan, Nor Haryati Ahmad Sanusi, Affendi Isa, Chin Tho Leong, Joan Costa-Font
BMJ Global Health.2022; 7(7): e009250. CrossRef
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate and its predictors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Getaneh Mulualem Belay, Tewodros Getaneh Alemu, Masresha Asmare Techane, Chalachew Adugna Wubneh, Nega Tezera Assimamaw, Tadesse Tarik Tamir, Addis Bilal Muhye, Destaye Guadie Kassie, Amare Wondim, Bewuketu Terefe, Bethlehem Tigabu Tarekegn, Mohammed Seid
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Cross-sectional assessment of predictors for COVID-19 vaccine uptake: an online survey in Greece
Petros Galanis, Irene Vraka, Olga Siskou, Olympia Konstantakopoulou, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Ioannis Moisoglou, Daphne Kaitelidou
Vacunas (English Edition).2022; 23: S60. CrossRef

Review Articles

The role of lipids in the pathophysiology of coronavirus infections: Milad Zandi, Parastoo Hosseini, Saber Soltani, Azadeh Rasooli, Mona Moghadami, Sepideh Nasimzadeh, Farzane Behnezhad; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2021;12(5):278-285. Published online October 15, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0153

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF

Coronaviruses, which have been known to cause diseases in animals since the 1930s, utilize cellular components during their replication cycle. Lipids play important roles in viral infection, as coronaviruses target cellular lipids and lipid metabolism to modify their host cells to become an optimal environment for viral replication. Therefore, lipids can be considered as potential targets for the development of antiviral agents. This review provides an overview of the roles of cellular lipids in different stages of the life cycle of coronaviruses.

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Orsay Virus Infection of Caenorhabditis elegans Is Modulated by Zinc and Dependent on Lipids
Luis Alberto Casorla-Perez, Ranya Guennoun, Ciro Cubillas, Bo Peng, Kerry Kornfeld, David Wang, Rebecca Ellis Dutch
Journal of Virology.2022;[Epub] CrossRef

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and respiratory syncytial virus coinfection in children: Milad Zandi, Saber Soltani, Mona Fani, Samaneh Abbasi, Saeedeh Ebrahimi, Ali Ramezani; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2021;12(5):286-292. Published online October 1, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0140

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Abstract PDF

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has infected many people around the world. Children are considered an important target group for SARS-CoV-2, as well as other viral infections such as respiratory syncytial virus infection. Both SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus can affect the respiratory tract. Coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus can pose significant challenges in terms of diagnosis and treatment in children. This review compares the symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus infection in children.

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Results from the second WHO external quality assessment for the molecular detection of respiratory syncytial virus, 2019–2020
Thomas Williams, Sandra Jackson, Ian Barr, Shabana Bi, Jinal Bhiman, Joanna Ellis, Anne von Gottberg, Stephen Lindstrom, Teresa Peret, Sanjiv Rughooputh, Mariana Viegas, Siddhivinayak Hirve, Maria Zambon, Wenqing Zhang, Ndongo Dia, Norosoa Razanazatovo, A
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
The Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Viral, Bacterial, and Fungal Respiratory Infections
Ashley Losier, Gayatri Gupta, Mario Caldararo, Charles S. Dela Cruz
Clinics in Chest Medicine.2023; 44(2): 407. CrossRef
Viral Coinfection of Children Hospitalized with Severe Acute Respiratory Infections during COVID-19 Pandemic
Célia Regina Malveste Ito, André Luís Elias Moreira, Paulo Alex Neves da Silva, Mônica de Oliveira Santos, Adailton Pereira dos Santos, Geovana Sôffa Rézio, Pollyanna Neta de Brito, Alana Parreira Costa Rezende, Jakeline Godinho Fonseca, Fernanda Aparecid
Biomedicines.2023; 11(5): 1402. CrossRef
Respiratory syncytial virus, recurrent wheeze and asthma: A narrative review of pathophysiology, prevention and future directions
Elly Binns, Jane Tuckerman, Paul V Licciardi, Danielle Wurzel
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.2022; 58(10): 1741. CrossRef
Impact of genetic polymorphisms related to innate immune response on respiratory syncytial virus infection in children
Laura Elena Córdova-Dávalos, Alicia Hernández-Mercado, Claudia Berenice Barrón-García, Augusto Rojas-Martínez, Mariela Jiménez, Eva Salinas, Daniel Cervantes-García
Virus Genes.2022; 58(6): 501. CrossRef
Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 virus in ambulatory children under 2 years old
Carolina A. Perez, Ivana Ormazabal, Javier Pérez-Valenzuela, Andrea Araya, Rafael A. Medina, Cecilia Perret
Frontiers in Pediatrics.2022;[Epub] CrossRef

Review of the early reports of the epidemiological characteristics of the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 and its spread worldwide: Yeonju Kim, Eun-Jin Kim, Sang-Won Lee, Donghyok Kwon; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2021;12(3):139-148. Published online June 24, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0037

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Abstract PDF

The variant B.1.1.7 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the RNA virus causing the pandemic more than a year worldwide, was reported from United Kingdom (UK) in late December 2020. It was reported that mortality increases by 65% and transmissibility increases by 70%, which may result in an increase of reproduction number to 1.13−1.55 from 0.75−0.85. To analyze the global increasing trend of the variant B.1.1.7, we extracted results of B.1.1.7 from GISAID on May 11 and May 12, 2021, and conducted a doseresponse regression. It took 47 days to reach 20% and 121 days to reach 50% among the sequence submitted from UK. In Korea, cases of B.1.1.7 have increased since the first report of three cases on December 28, 2020. Positive rate of B.1.1.7 in Korea was 21.6% in the week from May 9 to May 15, 2021. Detection rate of the variants is expected to increase further and new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are emerging, so a close monitoring and control would be maintained for months.

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Mutations in SARS-CoV-2: Insights on structure, variants, vaccines, and biomedical interventions
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Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.2023; 157: 113977. CrossRef
Structural implications of SARS-CoV-2 Surface Glycoprotein N501Y mutation within receptor-binding domain [499-505] – computational analysis of the most frequent Asn501 polar uncharged amino acid mutations
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Sang Hyuk Park, Hyun-Ki Kim, Hang Kang, Jung Heon Kim, Jaeseung Lee, Ji-Hun Lim, Seon-Ho Lee, Joseph Jeong
Annals of Laboratory Medicine.2022; 42(3): 363. CrossRef
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Carolin C. Hoeflich, Anna Wang, Ayodeji Otufowora, Linda B. Cottler, Catherine W. Striley
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Display of receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein variants on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell surface
Hongguan Xing, Liyan Zhu, Pingping Wang, Guoping Zhao, Zhihua Zhou, Yi Yang, Hong Zou, Xing Yan
Frontiers in Immunology.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid in variants of concern impair the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 detection by rapid antigen tests
Ibrahim T. Hagag, Krzysztof Pyrc, Saskia Weber, Anne Balkema-Buschmann, Martin H. Groschup, Markus Keller
Frontiers in Virology.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
The Disease Severity and Clinical Outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
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Frontiers in Public Health.2021;[Epub] CrossRef

Brief Reports

Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2: Distribution of Clades in the Republic of Korea in 2020: Ae Kyung Park, Il-Hwan Kim, Junyoung Kim, Jeong-Min Kim, Heui Man Kim, Chae young Lee, Myung-Guk Han, Gi-Eun Rhie, Donghyok Kwon, Jeong-Gu Nam, Young-Joon Park, Jin Gwack, Nam-Joo Lee, SangHee Woo, Jin Sun No, Jaehee Lee, Jeemin Ha, JeeEun Rhee, Cheon-Kwon Yoo, Eun-Jin Kim; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2021;12(1):37-43. Published online February 23, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2021.12.1.06

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Abstract PDF

Since a novel beta-coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in December 2019, there has been a rapid global spread of the virus. Genomic surveillance was conducted on samples isolated from infected individuals to monitor the spread of genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Korea. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency performed whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in Korea for 1 year (January 2020 to January 2021). A total of 2,488 SARS-CoV-2 cases were sequenced (including 648 cases from abroad). Initially, the prevalent clades of SARS-CoV-2 were the S and V clades, however, by March 2020, GH clade was the most dominant. Only international travelers were identified as having G or GR clades, and since the first variant 501Y.V1 was identified (from a traveler from the United Kingdom on December 22^nd, 2020), a total of 27 variants of 501Y.V1, 501Y.V2, and 484K.V2 have been classified (as of January 25^th, 2021). The results in this study indicated that quarantining of travelers entering Korea successfully prevented dissemination of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in Korea.

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Rapid Emergence of the Omicron Variant of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Korea
Ae Kyung Park, Il-Hwan Kim, Chae Young Lee, Jeong-Ah Kim, Hyeokjin Lee, Heui Man Kim, Nam-Joo Lee, SangHee Woo, Jaehee Lee, JeeEun Rhee, Cheon-Kwon Yoo, Eun-Jin Kim
Annals of Laboratory Medicine.2023; 43(2): 211. CrossRef
A Seroprevalence Study on Residents in a Senior Care Facility with Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection
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Air Evacuation of Passengers with Potential SARS-CoV-2 Infection Under the Guidelines for Appropriate Infection Control and Prevention: Jeong-Gil Kim, Seung Hak Lee, Hansuk Kim, Hong Sang Oh, Jacob Lee; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2020;11(5):334-338. Published online October 22, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2020.11.5.10

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Abstract PDF

This report describes the air evacuation of 80 Koreans from Iran to Korea on March 19^th, 2020, with a direct transfer of passengers between airplanes in Dubai. The passengers were potentially infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) so, strict precautions were taken for the duration of the flight, and the passengers were screened before embarking from Dubai and disembarking at Incheon International Airport in Korea. Passengers with fever or symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 were assessed by a quarantine doctor, and if they were suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, they were categorized as a “patient under investigation (PUI)”. There was 1 passenger designated as a PUI before the departure from Dubai and another designated as a PUI upon arrival into Korea. The first PUI tested negative, but the second PUI tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. All those aboard the flight (passengers, aircrew, and medical staff) were screened for SARS-CoV-2 upon arrival into Korea and completed a mandatory 14-day medical quarantine. There were no additional cases of infection.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

International travel-related control measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid review
Jacob Burns, Ani Movsisyan, Jan M Stratil, Renke Lars Biallas, Michaela Coenen, Karl MF Emmert-Fees, Karin Geffert, Sabine Hoffmann, Olaf Horstick, Michael Laxy, Carmen Klinger, Suzie Kratzer, Tim Litwin, Susan Norris, Lisa M Pfadenhauer, Peter von Philip
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2021;[Epub] CrossRef

Original Article

COVID-19 in Nursing Facilities: Experience in Republic of Korea: Rok Song, Hee-Sook Kim, Seok-Ju Yoo, Kwan Lee, Ji-Hyuk Park, Joon Ho Jang, Gyoung-Sook Ahn, Jun-Nyun Kim; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2020;11(4):164-169. Published online August 31, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2020.11.4.04

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Abstract PDF

Objectives

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks in nursing facilities can easily lead to a high rate of infection and fatality. A surge in newly infected cases in the first quarter of 2020 in Gyeongsan-si, in the Republic of Korea, was followed by several outbreaks in nursing facilities in the same area. The aim of this study is to report on the epidemiological investigation and the management to reduce the infection rate in nursing facilities for older adults.

Methods

The municipal government and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention performed an epidemiological investigation into 5 nursing facilities that reported a high number of COVID-19 infection cases from February to May 2020. COVID-19 infected cases in the facilities were investigated to identify the infection routes, and the fatality rate of the 5 facilities.

Results

The 5 facilities had a combined fatality rate of 12.2% (9 deceased among the 74 infected cases). The median age of the deceased was 87 years old (range: 82–91). The infection was first identified on February 27^th, 2020, peaked on March 6^th, and was last detected on March 24^th, 2020.

Conclusion

Difficulties specific to such facilities included the delay in the recognition of symptoms and limitation in distancing. Tailored strategies such as daily monitoring of symptoms and proactive COVID-19 screening of quarantined residents, contributed to a decline in the infections in the facilities.

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
Using Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions and High Isolation of Asymptomatic Carriers to Contain the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Nursing Homes
Alec J. Schmidt, Yury García, Diego Pinheiro, Thomas A. Reichert, Miriam Nuño
Life.2022; 12(2): 180. 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
Promising Best Practices Implemented in Long- Term Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Address Social Isolation and Loneliness: A Scoping Review
Idrissa Beogo, Nebila Jean-Claude Bationo, Stephanie Collin, Diane Tapp, Jean Ramdé, Marie-Pierre Gagnon, Eric Nguemeleu Tchouaket, Drissa Sia
Journal of Long-Term Care.2022; 0(2022): 298. 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
The experience of executing preventive measures to protect a nursing home in Taiwan from a COVID-19 outbreak
Chia-Yu Huang, Yu-Hung Kuo, Shu-Ting Chuang, Hung-Rong Yen, Sio-Ian Tou
European Geriatric Medicine.2021; 12(3): 609. CrossRef
Everyday life in a Swedish nursing home during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study with persons 85 to 100 years
Qarin Lood, Maria Haak, Synneve Dahlin-Ivanoff
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