Early Intervention Reduces the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities in the Republic of Korea
- Author:
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
- Publication Type:Brief Report
- From: Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives 2020;11(4):259-264
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on reported cases from long-term care facilities. As of April 20th, 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.