Epidemiology and Health

COVID-19: Epidemiologic Investigation

Analysis of the on-ship transmission of the COVID-19 mass outbreak on the Republic of Korea Navy amphibious warfare ship: Soo Hyeon Cho, Young-Man Kim, Gyeongyong Seong, Sunkyun Park, Seoncheol Park, Sang-Eun Lee, Young Joon Park; Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022065. Published online August 11, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022065

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This investigation was conducted to determine the size and pattern, source, and transmission route of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) amphibious warfare ship.

METHODS

We investigated the characteristics of all crew members and tracked the medical records of the confirmed cases. Fourteen essential ship operation personnel were interviewed. The study design was a retrospective cohort study, and the incidence rate ratio was through a statistical program.

RESULTS

The COVID-19 incidence on the ROKN amphibious warfare ship was 44.7% (38/85). It was estimated that the main propagation route started from the 1st floor worker, which spread to the same floor, and then to other floors. In the case of the working area, the incidence rate of crew members below the 1st floor without ventilation was higher than those on the 2nd or higher floors with natural ventilation.

CONCLUSIONS

This case is the first case of a COVID-19 outbreak on the ROKN amphibious warfare ship, and it is estimated that the incidence rate is high because of the closed and dense environment. To prevent the spread of various respiratory diseases including COVID-19, unified mitigation such as vaccination, observing personal quarantine rules, periodic ventilation, preemptive testing, and blocking transmission through prompt contact management is necessary.

Summary

Korean summary
본 조사는 국내 첫 해군 상륙함 내 코로나19 집단발생의 규모 및 양상, 감염원과 전파경로를 규명하기 위해 수행되었다. 해군 상륙함에서의 발생률은 44.7%였으며 자연 환기가 가능한 2층 이상 근무자에 비해 환기가 불가능한 1층 이하 근무자의 발생률이 높았고 이는 통계적으로 유의했다. 밀폐된 환경에서 밀접한 생활을 하는 해군 상륙함의 특성을 고려하여 개인방역수칙 준수, 주기적 환기, 선제적 검사, 신속한 접촉자 관리 등을 통한 전파 차단이 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

Key Message
This investigation was conducted to determine the size and pattern of the outbreak of the COVID-19 infection, the source of infection and the transmission route on the ROK Navy Amphibious Warfare ship. The incidence on ROKN Amphibious Warfare ship was 44.7% (38/85) and the incidence rate of crew members below the first floor without ventilation was higher than those on the second floor or higher with natural ventilation. To prevent various respiratory diseases including COVID-19, unified mitigation such as vaccination, observing personal quarantine rules, periodic ventilation, preemptive testing, and blocking transmission through prompt contact management is necessary.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Indoor Air Quality and COVID-19: A Scoping Review
Axelle Braggion, Adeline Dugerdil, Olwen Wilson, Francesca Hovagemyan, Antoine Flahault
Public Health Reviews.2024;[Epub] CrossRef

COVID-19: Epidemiologic Investigation

COVID-19 outbreak in a military unit in Korea: Chanhee Kim, Young-Man Kim, Namwoo Heo, Eunjung Park, Sojin Choi, Sehyuk Jang, Nayoung Kim, Donghyok Kwon, Young-Joon Park, Byeongseop Choi, Beomman Ha, Kyounghwa Jung, Changbo Park, Sejin Park, Heeyoung Lee; Epidemiol Health. 2021;43:e2021065. Published online September 8, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2021065

9,789 View
205 Download
3 Web of Science
3 Crossref

Abstract Summary PDF

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study presents the response of a military unit to an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Gyeonggi Province. As soon as 2 soldiers were identified as index cases, the infectious disease investigators of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and the Armed Forces Epidemiologic Investigation Center discussed the investigation and response plan for an imminent massive outbreak.

METHODS

The joint immediate response team (IRT) conducted interviews with confirmed COVID-19 patients, reviewed their medical records, performed contact tracing using global positioning system data, and undertook a field investigation. For risk assessment, the joint IRT visited all 8 sites of the military units and the army chaplain’s church to evaluate the transmission risk at each site. The evaluation items included the size of the site, the use of air conditioning, whether windows were opened, and whether masks were worn. Pooled testing was used for the low-risk population to quickly detect the spread of COVID-19 in the military base.

RESULTS

One day before the symptom onset of the index case, the lecturer and >50% of the attendees were infected with COVID-19 while attending a lecture that lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes. Attendees were not wearing masks and were in a poorly ventilated room.

CONCLUSIONS

Since COVID-19 can be spread before symptom onset, contact tracing must be performed to investigate potential exposures prior to symptom onset and to manage any exposed persons.

Summary

Korean summary
본 연구는 경기도 군부대에서 발생한 코로나19 대응 경험을 공유하는 국내 최초의 연구 결과이다. 본 연구를 통해 정리된 역학조사 과정은 군부대, 기숙사, 교정시설 등 집단 시설의 방역 대책 수립에 도움이 될 것으로 기대한다. 또한, 이번 사례는 집단 감염 발생 시 여러 유관 기관의 협조 체계가 신속한 대응과 추가 전파 예방에 중요하다는 점을 시사한다.

Key Message
This study is the first research in South Korea to share the experience of responding to COVID-19 at the military unit in Gyeonggi-do. The epidemiological investigation process organized through this study is expected to help establish response measures for group facilities such as military units, dormitories, and correctional facilities. In addition, this case suggests that the cooperative system of various related organizations in the event of a mass infection is important for rapid response and prevention of further transmission.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Evaluation of diagnostic performance of SARS-CoV-2 infection using digital droplet polymerase chain reaction in individuals with or without COVID-19 symptoms
Yoonjung Kim, Eunyoung Lee, Boyeon Kim, Jinhee Cho, Sook-Won Ryu, Kyung-A Lee
Clinica Chimica Acta.2024; 554: 117759. CrossRef
Trends in Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in the Korean Military Before and After the Emergence of the Omicron Variant
Dong Hoon Shin, Haebong Jang, Sangho Lee, Byung Seop Choi, Donghoon Kim, Hong Sang Oh
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Characteristics of COVID-19 outbreaks and risk factors for transmission at an army training center in South Korea from June to August 2021
U Jin Cho, Seongjin Wang, Seonju Yi, Yeon Hwa Choi, Eun-Young Kim, Jin A Kim, Sanghwan Bae, Jungyeon Yu, Jangkyu Choi, Young-Joon Park
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2022; 13(4): 263. CrossRef

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