Publications by authors named "Ji-Joo Lee"
Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in different high-risk facility types during a period of Delta variant dominance in the Republic of Korea: a cross-sectional study.
Osong Public Health Res Perspect
October 2023
Article Synopsis
- - The study assessed COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness in high-risk facilities in South Korea during the Delta variant surge, comparing medical and non-medical institutions.
- - Data from 8 outbreak clusters (243 cases and 895 contacts) were analyzed, revealing lower attack rates in medical institutions, but non-medical institutions showed higher vaccine effectiveness for severe disease and death.
- - Overall, the findings emphasized the need for targeted vaccination strategies and effective management in high-risk settings to improve public health responses.
Background: The number of confirmed cases of individuals with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection increased rapidly due to the Omicron variant. Correctional facilities are vulnerable to infectious diseases, and they introduced rapid antigen tests (RATs) to allow for early detection and rapid response. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and usefulness of SARS-CoV-2 RATs in newly incarcerated people.
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- - This study focused on the spread of infection in three psychiatric hospitals in South Korea, aiming to find causes and strategies to prevent further outbreaks during late 2020 and early 2021.
- - A total of 358 inpatients were analyzed, revealing infections in 47, 193, and 118 patients across the three hospitals, with a much higher incidence (35.8%) among inpatients compared to employees (2.9%).
- - Key issues included communication barriers among patients and hospital management problems, which complicated infection control; the study recommends improved preventive measures and screenings in psychiatric settings.
Analysis of pregnant women with critically severe COVID-19 in Republic of Korea from February 2020 and December 2021.
Osong Public Health Res Perspect
April 2023
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated the characteristics and risk factors associated with severe COVID-19 in pregnant women in Korea during the early epidemic and the Delta variant phase.
- Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 2,233 diagnosed pregnant women, finding that the majority (96.7%) exhibited mild symptoms, while only 3.3% experienced severe symptoms.
- Key risk factors for severe disease included being aged 35-45, having hyperlipidemia, being in the later stages of pregnancy, and having a fever; many patients with severe symptoms had multiple risk factors.
Article Synopsis
- Pfizer's Paxlovid was found to significantly reduce hospitalization and death risks for patients with COVID-19 as announced on November 5, 2021.
- In a study involving over 2,200 individuals in South Korea during the Omicron outbreak, Paxlovid was associated with a 51% lower rate of severe illness or death compared to those who did not receive the treatment.
- Fully vaccinated individuals (three doses) had even better outcomes, with a 71% reduction in severe illness or death, and a 65% lower death rate compared to unvaccinated patients.
In November 2020, an unusual increase in fungal endophthalmitis cases after cataract surgery was reported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, South Korea. We initiated an outbreak investigation to identify the cause. We identified 156 cases nationwide, 62 confirmed and 94 probable.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in a long-term care facility in South Korea.
J Infect Public Health
September 2022
Article Synopsis
- - A cluster of 12 cases of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection was reported in a long-term care facility in South Korea, following two outbreaks in October 2021.
- - Screening during the second outbreak revealed that all 12 previously infected residents tested positive again, with 8 cases confirmed as reinfections through detailed analysis.
- - The findings suggest older adults have decreased immunity and are more vulnerable to reinfection, stressing the need for continued preventive measures, even among vaccinated individuals in care facilities.
Article Synopsis
- A study was conducted involving 107 close contacts of individuals infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 to find the best quarantine duration.
- The average time taken from exposure to a confirmed diagnosis was found to be 3.7 days.
- Most diagnoses (70%) occurred by day 5 and nearly all (99.1%) by day 10, indicating that a 10-day quarantine period is optimal.
Article Synopsis
- - The November 2021 outbreak of the Omicron variant in South Korea started from one imported case and quickly spread to various settings like homes, kindergartens, and workplaces.
- - Within just three weeks, the outbreak led to 11 clusters of COVID-19 cases, highlighting the variant's ability to spread easily.
- - An epidemiologic curve showed that the Omicron variant was rapidly transmitting through the community, indicating a significant public health concern.
Article Synopsis
- - A study in South Korea analyzed how transmissible the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is by looking at transmission intervals and secondary infection rates in households.
- - The average time between infections (serial interval) for 12 pairs of cases was found to be 2.9 days.
- - The research revealed a high secondary attack rate of 50% among 25 households, indicating potential for quick increases in COVID-19 cases.
Article Synopsis
- - In November 2021, South Korea identified 14 cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19, linked to international travel.
- - Investigations showed that the omicron variant was spreading within the community, as most newly reported cases had no travel history.
- - By December 10, 2021, a total of 80 omicron cases were confirmed, suggesting the actual number of transmissions in Korea could be higher than reported.