Abstract

Genomic epidemiology is a core component in investigating the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this study, the efficacy of control strategies in South Korea was evaluated using genomic epidemiology based on viral genome sequences of 2,065 SARS-CoV-2 cases identified in South Korea from January 2020 to December 2020. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the majority of viruses introduced from inbound travelers did not further spread throughout South Korea; however, four distinct subgroups (KR.1–4, belonging to B.1.497, B.1, K.1 and B.41) of viruses caused local epidemics. After the introduction of enhanced social distancing, the viral population size and daily case numbers decreased, and KR.2–4 subgroups were extinguished from South Korea. Nevertheless, there was a subsequent increase in KR.1 subgroups after the downgrading of social distancing level. These results indicate that the international traveler quarantine system implemented in South Korea along with social distancing measures efficiently reduced the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2, but it was not completely controlled. An improvement of control strategies will be required to better control SARS-CoV-2, its variants, and future pandemic viruses.

Details

Title
Genomic epidemiology reveals the reduction of the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 after implementing control strategies in Republic of Korea, 2020
Author
Jung-Hoon, Kwon 1 ; Jeong-Min, Kim 2 ; Lee, Dong-hun 3 ; Park, Ae Kyung 2 ; Il-Hwan, Kim 2 ; Da-Won, Kim 1 ; Ji-Yun, Kim 1 ; Lim, Noori 1 ; Cho, Kyeong-Yeon 1 ; Kim, Heui Man 2 ; Nam-Joo, Lee 2 ; Woo, SangHee 2 ; Chae Young Lee 2 ; Jin Sun No 4 ; Kim, Junyoung 5 ; Rhee, JeeEun 2 ; Myung-Guk Han 6 ; Rhie, Gi-Eun 4 ; Cheon Kwon Yoo 7 ; Eun-Jin, Kim 2 

 College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University , 80, Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea 
 Division of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency , 187, Osongsaengmyeong2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 28159, Republic of Korea 
 Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut , Storrs, CT 06269, USA 
 Division of High-Risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency , 187, Osongsaengmyeong2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 28159, Republic of Korea 
 Division of Bacterial Diseases, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency , 187, Osongsaengmyeong2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 28159, Republic of Korea 
 Division of Viral Diseases, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency , 187, Osongsaengmyeong2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 28159, Republic of Korea 
 Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency , 187, Osongsaengmyeong2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 28159, Republic of Korea 
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
Oxford University Press
e-ISSN
20571577
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3171768685
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.