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Review
. 2022 Jul;55(4):360-370.
doi: 10.3961/jpmph.22.068. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Evaluation of the Public Health Emergency Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Daegu, Korea During the First Half of 2020

Hwajin Lee  1 , Keon-Yeop Kim  1 , Jong-Yeon Kim  2 , Sin Kam  1 , Kyeong Soo Lee  3 , Jung Jeung Lee  4 , Nam Soo Hong  1 , Tae-Yoon Hwang  3
Affiliations
Review

Evaluation of the Public Health Emergency Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Daegu, Korea During the First Half of 2020

Hwajin Lee et al. J Prev Med Public Health. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated the response in Daegu, Korea to the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic according to a public health emergency response model.

Methods: After an examination of the official data reported by the city of Daegu and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as a literature review and advisory meetings, we chose a response model. Daegu's responses were organized into 4 phases and evaluated by applying the response model.

Results: In phase 1, efforts were made to block further transmission of the virus through preemptive testing of a religious group. In phase 2, efforts were concentrated on responding to mass infections in high-risk facilities. Phase 3 involved a transition from a high-intensity social distancing campaign to a citizen participation-based quarantine system. The evaluation using the response model revealed insufficient systematic preparation for a medical surge. In addition, an incorporated health-related management system and protection measures for responders were absent. Nevertheless, the city encouraged the participation of private hospitals and developed a severity classification system. Citizens also played active roles in the pandemic response by practicing social distancing.

Conclusions: This study employed the response model to evaluate the early response in Daegu to the COVID-19 pandemic and revealed areas in need of improvement or maintenance. Based on the study results, creation of a systematic model is necessary to prepare for and respond to future public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Emergencies; Public health; Republic of Korea.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflicts of interest associated with the material presented in this paper.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and people released from self-quarantine in Daegu, Korea between February 18 and April 30, 2020. COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019. Data from Daegu Metropolitan City. City briefing archive [Internet] [14].
Figure 2
Figure 2
The daily number of confirmed deaths and the case fatality rate between February 23 and April 30, 2020. Data from Daegu Metropolitan City. City briefing archive [Internet] [14].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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