Comparative analysis of epidemic characteristics and prevention and control measures of Corona virus disease 2019 in South Korea and Japan / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:By analyzing epidemic characteristics and prevention and control measures of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea and Japan, to provide reference for prevention and control of the epidemic.Methods:Information on COVID-19 from official websites of the South Korea Central Disaster Safety Management Headquarters and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan as well as authoritative media in South Korea and Japan, were collected and used to analyze the epidemic characteristics and prevention and control measures.Results:The first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in South Korea on January 20, 2020. The epidemic peak occurred early in South Korea at the end of February. The South Korean government controlled the epidemic in early April by active searching, quarantine, testing and treating every case and traced every contacted person. In Japan, the first confirmed case was reported on January 16, 2020. The epidemic peak occurred late in Japan in early April. The Japanese government controlled the epidemic in early May by adopting containment measures that issued a "Declaration of Emergency" to the whole country, calling on the public to avoid unnecessary and urgent travel, staying at home, and asking businesses to close down. But at the end of June, the epidemic of Japan rebounded.Conclusion:The epidemic situation in South Korea and Japan is generally at a low level, and some prevention and control experiences are worth study and absorption, especially the prevention and control mode in South Korea needs further follow-up observation and study.