Flattening the Curve on COVID-19: South Korea's Measures in Tackling Initial Outbreak of Coronavirus. Issue 4 (27th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Daejoong; Heo, Kyungmoo; Seo, Yongseok; Ahn, Hyerim; Jung, Kyungran; Lee, Sohyun; Choi, Hyeseung
• Is Part Of: American journal of epidemiology. Volume 190:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 496
• Page End: 505
• Publication Date: 2020-10-27
• Subjects: contact tracing -- COVID-19 -- epidemiologic investigation -- MERS -- South Korea; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwaa217
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9262

Abstract

Abstract: The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is causing an unprecedented crisis around the world, with South Korea being no exception. South Korea experienced a surge of COVID-19 cases on February 19, 2020, but was able to flatten the COVID-19 curve in only 20 days without enforcing lockdown measures that restrict the freedom and movement of people. The actual field experience of the Korean government's COVID-19 response team, who participated in drafting the document "Tackling COVID-19: Health, Quarantine, and Economic Measures: Korean experience, " was examined and an in-depth analysis was conducted of the South Korean government's experience dealing with the Middle East respiratory syndrome of 2015. Three prominent factors were identified behind Korea's responses against COVID-19. First, it was crucial that the government responded as 1 team efficiently to cooperate and respond to COVID-19. Second, a novel approach was needed to combat COVID-19 spread. Information and communication technology had a key role in South Korea's strategy to contain COVID-19. Third, an effective response to COVID-19 was possible due to the successful partnership between the general public and state authorities.