PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.13 No.16, April 16, 2020 Article TypeCOVID-19 Special IssueCOVID-19 Special ReportEpidemiology and SurveillanceNoncommunicable Disease Statistics

• COVID-19 Special Report 2020-04-16

  0 130 26

  Weekly report on the COVID-19 situation in the Republic of Korea (As of April 11, 2020)

  Kim Miyoung, Kweon Sanghui, Lee Jung Hyun, Baek Soojin, Jeon Byoung-Hak, Yoo Hyosoon, Park Young Joon, Gwack Jin, Park Ok

  Public Health Weekly Report 2020; 13(16): 972-985

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  This is a weekly report on the COVID-19 situation in the Republic of Korea based on the confirmed cases reported through the Integrated System to Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention according to the INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION ACT and based on the epidemiological investigation by central and local health authorities.
  As of April 11, 2020, there were 10,536 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and including 215 deaths. Confirmed cases were reported in all 17 provinces/cities in Korea, with the highest number of cases from Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Seoul, and Gyeonggi. The results indicated that, by gender, women accounted for a slightly higher proportion (59.7%, n=6,295) of total confirmed cases than men. And, by age the median age was 45 years old (range: 0 to 104 years old).
  The main infectious paths confirmed by epidemiological investigations showed several major clusters related to COVID-19. Of the total cases, the proportion of imported cases was 8.8% (n=930); 49.5% (n=5,212) were Shincheonji (and related); 32.8% (n=3,451) are small clusters and contacts of confirmed cases (other than Shincheonji); and 9.0% (n=943) are currently under investigation as per infection route surveys.

• COVID-19 Special Issue 2020-04-16

  0 90 30

  Brief report on the situation in China during the COVID-19 outbreak

  Jong-Koo Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2020; 13(16): 986-989

  

  

  Full Text Cite Share

• COVID-19 Special Issue 2020-04-16

  0 127 28

  Contact tracing results of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in the Republic of Korea

  Junghee Hyun, Jeonghyun Kim, Hyeyoung Lee, Jin Gwack, JaEun Kim, EunYoung Lee, TaeKyung Kim, Hansuk Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2020; 13(16): 990-997

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  On December 31st, 2019 the China National Health Commission (NHC) reported that an unknown cause of pneumonia had been detected in Wuhan in Hubei province. The NHC later confirmed that the infection was a novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia (NCIP). On February 12th, the disease caused by novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has a formal name, COVID-19. On January 20th, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Korea. The purpose of this study was to conduct a case study of the first COVID-19 infection and the aim was to offer suggestions to public health workers on how to prepare for future pandemics. More specifically, this study explored the results of epidemiological investigations focused on preventing the spread of an infectious disease by identifying contacts when the first confirmed case occurs. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) conducted a contact tracing survey immediately after the first case was confirmed. According to the epidemiology report, 45 people were classified as active monitoring cases. They were supervised by a quarantine station and public health centers for 14 days. During the surveillance period, four potential cases occurred but the pancoronavirus test (conventional RT-PCR) and the gene sequencing tests came back negative for COVID-19. On February 3rd, 2020, surveillance was lifted for these cases.

• COVID-19 Special Issue 2020-04-16

  0 220 29

  Investigation of COVID-19 outbreaks through Zumba dance classes in Korea

  Public Health Weekly Report 2020; 13(16): 998-1005

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Since the first patients of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreaks through Zumba dance classes were confirmed on February 24, 2020, the number of confirmed cases rapidly increased in South Korea. As of March 11, 2020, 116 cases of COVID-19 related to Zumba dance classes were confirmed. This report aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of outbreaks through Zumba dance classes in South Korea. To accomplish this purpose, we analyzed 116 confirmed cases of COVID-19 obtained from epidemiological monitoring. There were 29 male (25.0%) and 87 female (75.0%) cases. The average age was 39.1 (median 42.0). Ninety-five cases (81.9%) lived in Cheonan where Zumba workshop was held. Of the 116 cases, 65 cases (56.0%) were transmitted in Zumba dance class. Thirty-seven cases (31.9%) were infected through family. Twenty-one cases (20.8%) reported initial symptoms of fever or heat sensation, 18 cases (17.8%) reported having a sore throat, 21 cases (20.8%) reported having a cough. Twelve cases (11.9%) reported having a sputum, five cases (5.0%) reported having the chills, and 14 cases (13.9%) reported having muscle pain. There were 25 asymptomatic cases (24.8%). This case is the first report of COVID-19 outbreak through dance classes, and is expected to contribute to establish a response strategy for COVID-19 outbreak through vigorous exercise in close space.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2020-04-16

  0 164 38

  Status of Diagnostic X-ray Equipment in Korea, 2019

  Kim Hyun Ji, Lee Jung-youl, Lee Hyun-Koo

  Public Health Weekly Report 2020; 13(16): 1006-1013

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Since X-ray was discovered by W. C. Roentgen in 1895, it has been an essential means to diagnose diseases. For this reason, the number of X-ray machines used in medical field has increased continuously in Korea to 89,955 in 2019. The objective of this audit was to report on the status of diagnostic x-ray equipment in Korea in 2019. In accordance with Article 16, Paragraph 4 of the Rules for Safety Management of Diagnostic Radiation Generators, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) receives 'Diagnostic Radiation Safety Management Status' from local governments every March and reports the summarized data as the appendix of “Annual Report: Occupational Radiation Exposure in Diagnostic Radiology”. This audit provided further analysis of this data according to the population of each province, type of equipment and period of use. District-based categorization revealed that Seoul had the largest number of diagnostic X-ray machines (20,663, 23.0%), while Sejong had the smallest number (435, 0.5%). Classification based on the types of X-ray equipment showed that the portion of general equipment with a separate tube-high voltage (HV) generator used in radiography or fluoroscopy accounted for the largest proportion (23%, 21,201), followed by general equipment with an integrated tube-HV generator (22%, 20,246), intra-oral equipment (16%, 14,015), dental computed tomography (13%, 11,825), equipment for panoramic imaging (10%, 8,772), equipment for bone mineral densitometry (9%, 8,075), mammography equipment (4%, 3,431), and whole body CT (3%, 2,390). Based on the period of use, 38.3% (31,828) of the total pieces of equipment had been used for equal or less than five years. This report suggested that, with the increased use of diagnostic X-ray equipment, safety management of radiological techniques and machinery in medicine must be strengthened.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2020-04-16

  0 116 39

  Computer Programs (ALARA) for Calculation of Diagnostic Radiation Dose

  Kim Hyunji, Lee Jung-youl, Lee Hyun-koo, Kim Kwangpyo

  Public Health Weekly Report 2020; 13(16): 1014-1026

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Diagnostic radiography such as computed tomography (CT), general radiography, and dental radiography are important tools used to diagnose disease or injury. With the increased public interest in aging and health promotion along with the development of medical technology, the number of radiographic medical examinations has risen. Therefore, at the national level, management of patient dose by diagnostic radiography has emerged as critical. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) developed ALARA-CT, ALARA-GR, and ALARA-DR programs, which can calculate patient dose for diagnostic radiography. This article reviewed radiation doses used for CT, general radiography, and dental radiography and radiation doses used for radiation protection. In addition, patient dose calculation programs developed by the KCDC were reviewed. The developed programs can calculate radiation dose for patients of various ages and for both genders. Also, the programs can be used for various systems with different manufacturers and models and examination setting parameters. The programs are user-friendly and thus can be used by medical staff who do not have specialized knowledge of radiation dose assessments. These programs provide data to facilitate the analysis of evaluation results. The developed programs can be used to manage patient radiation dose for diagnostic radiography and ultimately contribute to reducing radiation exposure. This article’s findings indicated that the ALARA program contributed to the reduction of medical radiation exposure by being able to check and manage the patient radiation dose.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2020-04-16

  0 70 43

  A Study on the Current Status and Awareness Improvement of Radiation Safety Management Systems in Dentistry in Korea

  Kang Juhee, Gil Jongwon, Lee Byungyoung, Lee Hyunkoo, Lee Sam-Sun

  Public Health Weekly Report 2020; 13(16): 1027-1036

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  The objective of this study was to improve the awareness of medical radiation safety management systems in dentistry. This study surveyed the current status of the radiation safety management systems of dental clinics through a questionnaire and produced an educational program to improve awareness. Changes in the levels of awareness before and after implementation of the educational program were compared using a questionnaire. This study found that dental clinics use personal dosimeters and basic radiation protection equipment, but comprehension of the diagnostic reference levels and preparations related to image quality management were insufficient. After participating in the education program, the level of awareness improved and reliability was significantly high. In conclusion, the basic data for periodically comparing the improvement of radiation safety management systems was generated, and continuous education using customized education programs designed to improve awareness was recommended.

• Noncommunicable Disease Statistics 2020-04-16

  0 96 30

  Trends in rate of physical activity, 2008-2018; Subjective obesity awareness rate and Weight loss attempt rate, 2007-2018

  Public Health Weekly Report 2020; 13(16): 1037-1040

  

  

  Full Text Cite Share