tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Korean Med Sci
. 2020 Aug 10;35(31):e288.
doi: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e288.
Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 Outbreak at Fitness Centers in Cheonan, Korea
Sanghyuk Bae[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Hwami Kim[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Tae Young Jung[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ji Ae Lim[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Da Hye Jo[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Gi Seok Kang[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Seung Hee Jeong[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Dong Kwon Choi[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Hye Jin Kim[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Young Hee Cheon[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Min Kyo Chun[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Miyoung Kim[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Siwon Choi[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Chaemin Chun[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Seung Hwan Shin[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Hee Kyoung Kim[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Young Joon Park[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ok Park[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Ho Jang Kwon[SUP] 3 6 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: In February 2020, a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was reported in fitness centers in Cheonan, Korea.
Methods: From February 24 to March 13, an epidemiological investigation was conducted on the fitness center outbreak. All those who were screened were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Contacts were traced and self-isolated for 14 days. We determined the epidemiological characteristics of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and estimated the time-dependent reproduction number to assess the transmission dynamics of the infection.
Results: A total of 116 cases were confirmed, and 1,687 contacts were traced. The source cases were 8 Zumba instructors who led aerobics classes in 10 fitness centers, and had the largest average number of contacts. A total of 57 Zumba class participants, 37 of their family members, and 14 other contacts were confirmed as cases. The attack rate was 7.3%. The contacts at Zumba classes and homes had a higher attack rate than other contacts. The mean serial interval (? standard deviation) were estimated to be 5.2 (? 3.8) days. The time-dependent reproduction number was estimated to be 6.1 at the beginning of the outbreak, but it dropped to less than 1, 2 days after the epidemiological investigation was launched.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the COVID-19 outbreak was effectively contained with rigorous contact tracing, isolating, and testing in combination with social distancing without a lock-down.
Keywords: Basic Reproduction Number; Coronavirus; Disease Outbreak; Epidemiology; Fitness Centers.
. 2020 Aug 10;35(31):e288.
doi: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e288.
Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 Outbreak at Fitness Centers in Cheonan, Korea
Sanghyuk Bae[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Hwami Kim[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Tae Young Jung[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ji Ae Lim[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Da Hye Jo[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Gi Seok Kang[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Seung Hee Jeong[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Dong Kwon Choi[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Hye Jin Kim[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Young Hee Cheon[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Min Kyo Chun[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Miyoung Kim[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Siwon Choi[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Chaemin Chun[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Seung Hwan Shin[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Hee Kyoung Kim[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Young Joon Park[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ok Park[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Ho Jang Kwon[SUP] 3 6 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 32776726
- DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e288
Abstract
Background: In February 2020, a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was reported in fitness centers in Cheonan, Korea.
Methods: From February 24 to March 13, an epidemiological investigation was conducted on the fitness center outbreak. All those who were screened were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Contacts were traced and self-isolated for 14 days. We determined the epidemiological characteristics of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and estimated the time-dependent reproduction number to assess the transmission dynamics of the infection.
Results: A total of 116 cases were confirmed, and 1,687 contacts were traced. The source cases were 8 Zumba instructors who led aerobics classes in 10 fitness centers, and had the largest average number of contacts. A total of 57 Zumba class participants, 37 of their family members, and 14 other contacts were confirmed as cases. The attack rate was 7.3%. The contacts at Zumba classes and homes had a higher attack rate than other contacts. The mean serial interval (? standard deviation) were estimated to be 5.2 (? 3.8) days. The time-dependent reproduction number was estimated to be 6.1 at the beginning of the outbreak, but it dropped to less than 1, 2 days after the epidemiological investigation was launched.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the COVID-19 outbreak was effectively contained with rigorous contact tracing, isolating, and testing in combination with social distancing without a lock-down.
Keywords: Basic Reproduction Number; Coronavirus; Disease Outbreak; Epidemiology; Fitness Centers.