PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.14 No.42, October 14, 2021 Article TypeCOVID-19 Special ReportEpidemiology and SurveillanceNoncommunicable Disease Statistics

• COVID-19 Special Report 2021-10-14

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  Trends in COVID-19 cases among children and adolescents aged 0-18 years in the Republic of Korea

  Jang Jinhwa, Hwang Myung-Jae, Park Shin Young, Kim Seong-Sun, Park Jemma, Yeom Hansol, Park Su Bin, Kwon Donghyok

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(42): 2940-2950

  

  

  Abstract

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  This report (from January 20, 2020 to August 28, 2021) on the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) situation in the Republic of Korea was written by the disease management division of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). This report was based on the number of confirmed cases under 18 years old reported through the integrated system in accordance with Article 11 of the 「Infectious Disease Prevention and Management Act」 and on epidemiological investigations conducted by central and local health authorities.
  By August 28, 2021, there were 246,945 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea: including 30,012(12.2%) confirmed cases of COVID-19 under aged 18 years old. Notably, four cases of severe and critical medical condition were reported, and no death cases were reported. Confirmed cases were reported in all cities and in all 17 provinces in the Republic of Korea, with the highest number of cases recorded in metropolitan areas: Gyeonggi (31.6%), Seoul (26.3%) and Incheon (5.1%). The main infection cases of children and adolescents aged 0-18 years identified as a result of epidemiological investigations were the result of contact with confirmed cases (42.8%), local cluster occurrences (37.5%), and cases under investigation (unclassified) (13.5%). The major cluster infection routes of outbreaks were educational facility-related (12.6%), religious facility-related (5.5%) and family/acquaintance gathering-related (5.4%). This report concluded that continuous monitoring of cases among children and adolescents aged 0-18 years and enhanced guidelines on social distancing are essential in controlling outbreaks.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-10-14

  0 205 65

  Major Findings of the COVID-19 special report: 2020 Korea Community Health Survey

  So Seung Hui, Choi Sunhye, Song Geumju, Ko Yunsil, Won Ji Su, Park Ji Hyun, Cho Woo Mi, Lee Seon Kui

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(42): 2955-2971

  

  

  Abstract

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  The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) published 「the COVID-19 special report: the 2020 Korea Community Health Survey (CHS)」. The aim was to identify the health status and characteristics of the Korean community’s lifestyle in the era of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This paper presented the major findings from the special report.
  Key findings indicated that over 95% of the Korea CHS participants followed the COVID-19 prevention guidelines including coughing etiquette, room ventilation at least twice a day, wearing a mask indoors and outdoors, staying two meters away from others, and social distancing. Responses highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the respondents’ lifestyles. The majority of the respondents experienced a decreased frequency of meeting friends or neighbors (63.6%), participation in physical activity (52.6%), and alcohol consumption (45.3%), while respondents reported an increased consumption of food delivery (43.6%) and instant food/sweetened beverages (23.8%). Most respondents reported that they worried about COVID-19 infection (68.6%) and about family members with poor health status (84.7%).
  This paper concluded that the findings of the report will contribute to the establishment of community health policies to promote the health of community dwellers during an infectious disease pandemic.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-10-14

  0 366 179

  Changes in handwashing practices in the Republic of Korea, 2013-2020

  Cho Kyung Sook

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(42): 2972-2987

  

  

  Abstract

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  In 2020, compliance with handwashing guidelines increased significantly during the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in handwashing compliance from 2013 to 2020. This report found that the handwashing compliance increased from 74.2% in 2019 to 87.3% in 2020. This report found that handwashing compliance among women, seniors, healthcare workers and workers in the food and beverage industry was higher than that among men, youths, and non-sanitation related workers. Also, in the 2020 observational survey, the rate of handwashing after toilet usage was 75.4%. However, among those who washed their hands after toilet usage, only 37.1% washed their hands with soap. This study concluded that policy makers need to focus their efforts on public relations (PR) and on education programs about the importance of using soap when washing hands.

• Noncommunicable Disease Statistics 2021-10-14

  0 249 110

  Trends in intake of energy, 2010-2019

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(42): 2988-2991

  

  

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