PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.14 No.37, September 09, 2021 Article TypeEpidemiology and SurveillanceNoncommunicable Disease StatisticsReview & Perspective

• Review & Perspective 2021-09-09

  0 391 190

  COVID-19 and the Management of Hypertension

  Kim Dae-Hee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(37): 2616-2620

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  The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has lasted longer than expected. As the delta variant is driving new COVID-19 case, Korea is now experiencing a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many patients with hypertension have difficulty controlling blood pressure due to limitations in physical activity and barriers to health care facilities. This study aimed to discuss the self-management of hypertension at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-09-09

  0 225 157

  Epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 outbreaks occurring in 6 long-term care facilities after July 2021, Republic of Korea

  Choi JiHyun, Lee Min Jei, Lee Sang-Eun, Park YoungJoon, Kim Dong Seob, Park Sun kyeng, Kim Hwa mi, Kim Yeon Jung, Jang Yoon Suk, Son Tae Jong, Lee Sin Yeong, Kim Mi Yeong, Park Jemma, Kwon Donghyok

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(37): 2621-2628

  Abstract

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  There have been many cases of Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) infection in nursing hospitals, since July 2021. Accordingly, mechanical characteristics such as vaccination rate, breakthrough infection rate, severity rate, and fatal rate were analyzed based on data collected from six nursing hospitals to find ways to manage high-risk facilities, including nursing hospitals.
  A total of 1,173 (70.6%) out of a total of 1,662 people, including patients and workers at six nursing hospitals, completed vaccinations, 192 people (11.6%) were infected, and 135 people (10.3%) were infected with a breakthrough. There were 21 people (10.9%) who were seriously ill and 21 people (10.9%) who died, 79.8 percent of the effects of severedly ill prevention and 72.4 percent of the effects of death prevention.
  There is a limitation to the difficulty of generalizing the epidemiologic characteristics of six nursing hospitals, but rapid vaccination of new patients and workers must be completed to increase the prevention effect of severely ill and death. And following the safety and quarantine guidelines will need to be strengthened regardless of vaccination capabilities. In the meantime, further research on the duration of vaccination effect by population should be undertaken in order to establish a basis for additional vaccinations for high-risk groups in the future.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-09-09

  0 460 109

  Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infections in Adult Day Service Center and Household Secondary Transmissions with Delta Variant

  Kim Jong Mu, Yi Seonju, Lee Jung Min, Park Young-Joon, Hong Sujin, Choi Siwon, Jae Sung Park, Mi Ya Kim, Seong Bae Ahn, Jin Hee Yun, Woo Seok Kim, Bong Cheol Oh

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(37): 2629-2636

  

  

  Abstract

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  Adult Day Services Center (ADSC) provide social or health services to adults ages 65 and over. Now, ADSC administrators, staff, and participants nearly 80% have been vaccinated against Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19). Vaccination can use to help maintain healthy environments and operations and lower the risk of COVID-19 spread in ADSC.
  This survey was conducted to identify the pattern of COVID-19 cluster outbreaks in in ADSCs, the effectiveness of vaccination, and the risk factors for COVID-19 spreading.
  A cluster case occurred in an ADSC between 10 August to 24 August 2021 in Jeju City, Korea. The case included 58 individuals composed of ADSC patients, staff and household members. This survey analyzed the general characteristics of confirmed cases and contacts, the clinical features of confirmed cases, the characteristics of breakthrough infections, and secondary attack rates in households through epidemiological investigation.
  After the index patient was confirmed on 10 August 2021, 25 out of 58 ADSC individuals, and 14 household members and acquaintances were confirmed by 30 August. This resulted in a 43.12% incidence rate in the facility and a 25.5% incidence rate in secondary attacks in households (12 patients). From the analysis of genomic variance, it was confirmed that 13 of the confirmed patients were SARS-CoV-2 virus, delta variants.
  Among the ADSC individuals, 96.6% (56 individuals) were fully vaccinated with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccination periods of all fully vaccinated individuals had elapsed an average of 104 days (80 to 117 days) and the breakthrough rate of infection was 42.9% in fully vaccinated individuals.
  This survey concluded that an epidemic could occur under conditions of continuous exposure to the delta variant, even in populations with a high vaccination rate. Furthermore, additional transmission is possible by infected individuals of breakthrough infections.
  Therefore, it is important to: conduct immediate tests for suspected symptoms regardless of vaccination history; achieve full vaccinations for new patients and staff members; strengthen access management; wear masks and follow personal hygiene etiquette; and ensure proper ventilation etc. However, considering the characteristics of ADSCs where individuals are exposed to high facility density, enclosed environments, high age groups, underlying diseases, these findings cannot be generalized. This survey recommended supplementary quarantine measures for related facilities.

• Noncommunicable Disease Statistics 2021-09-09

  0 216 98

  Prevalence of Diabetes and Impaired Fasting Glucose, 2019

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(37): 2637-2638

  

  

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