Yu Mi Wi1, Su Jin Lim2, Si-Ho Kim1, Seungjin Lim3, Su Jin Lee3, Byung-Han Ryu4, Sun In Hong4, Oh-Hyun Cho4, Kyunglan Moon5, Kyung-Wook Hong5, Sunjoo Kim5,6, In-Gyu Bae5. 1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Pulmonology Diseases, Gyeongsangnam-do Masan Medical Center, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea. 6. Gyeongnam Center for Infectious Disease and Prevention, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The South Korean government has been combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak using public information and extensive viral screening. We describe the application of the Korean response system in Gyeongsangnam-do province and outline the epidemiological features of COVID-19 in the cohort. METHODS: A Rapid Response Team tracked the patients' activities and identified close contacts. A Patient Management Team made decisions regarding the severity of illness, hospital allocation depending on severity, and time of discharge. A national medical center with 155 beds and 4 university-affiliated hospitals with 48 negative-pressure isolation rooms were dedicated for patients with COVID-19. RESULTS: As of 15 April, 17 400 residents were tested, of whom 111 were confirmed positive cases. Of the 111 patients, 78 were cured and discharged, 2 recovered after mechanical ventilation, and none died. One healthcare worker at the national center tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. All 412 staff members at the center were tested, but there were no additional infections. Cough (30.0%) was the most common initial symptom, whereas anosmia and ageusia were the first symptoms in 14.7% and 15.7% of the patients, respectively. Overall, 25 patients (22.5%) reported having no symptoms at admission and 7 (6.3%) remained asymptomatic at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: A response system that enabled the early detection of COVID-19 cases, including asymptomatic and presymptomatic cases, and timely quarantine of these patients and their contacts, along with efficient allocation of medical resources, was the key to curbing the COVID-19 outbreak in Gyeongsangnam-do Province.
BACKGROUND: The South Korean government has been combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak using public information and extensive viral screening. We describe the application of the Korean response system in Gyeongsangnam-do province and outline the epidemiological features of COVID-19 in the cohort. METHODS: A Rapid Response Team tracked the patients' activities and identified close contacts. A Patient Management Team made decisions regarding the severity of illness, hospital allocation depending on severity, and time of discharge. A national medical center with 155 beds and 4 university-affiliated hospitals with 48 negative-pressure isolation rooms were dedicated for patients with COVID-19. RESULTS: As of 15 April, 17 400 residents were tested, of whom 111 were confirmed positive cases. Of the 111 patients, 78 were cured and discharged, 2 recovered after mechanical ventilation, and none died. One healthcare worker at the national center tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. All 412 staff members at the center were tested, but there were no additional infections. Cough (30.0%) was the most common initial symptom, whereas anosmia and ageusia were the first symptoms in 14.7% and 15.7% of the patients, respectively. Overall, 25 patients (22.5%) reported having no symptoms at admission and 7 (6.3%) remained asymptomatic at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: A response system that enabled the early detection of COVID-19 cases, including asymptomatic and presymptomatic cases, and timely quarantine of these patients and their contacts, along with efficient allocation of medical resources, was the key to curbing the COVID-19 outbreak in Gyeongsangnam-do Province.
Authors: Hae Suk Cheong; Ki Tae Kwon; Soyoon Hwang; Shin-Woo Kim; Hyun-Ha Chang; Se Yoon Park; Bongyoung Kim; Shinwon Lee; Jiho Park; Sang Taek Heo; Won Sup Oh; Yeonjae Kim; Kyung-Hwa Park; Chang Kyung Kang; NamHee Oh; Su Jin Lim; Seongcheol Yun; Ji Woong Son Journal: J Korean Med Sci Date: 2022-02-14 Impact factor: 2.153