Changes in respiratory virus infection trends during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea: the effectiveness of public health measures

Abstract

Background/Aims: Studies on the effectiveness of public health measures to prevent respiratory virus transmission in real-world settings are lacking. We investigated the effectiveness of universal mask use and adherence to other personal preventive measures on the changing viral respiratory infection patterns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods: Data were extracted from the South Korean National Respiratory Virus Sentinel Surveillance System. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a cross-sectional survey on adherence to personal preventive measures was conducted. Additionally, the number of subway passengers was analyzed to estimate physical distancing compliance.Results: During the pandemic, adherence to personal preventive measures significantly increased, particularly indoors and on public transportation. Respiratory virus trends were compared based on laboratory surveillance data of 47,675 patients with acute respiratory infections (2016 to 2020). The 2019 to 2020 influenza epidemic ended within 3 weeks, from the epidemic peak to the epidemic end, quickly ending the inf luenza season; with a 1.8- to 2.5-fold faster decline than in previous seasons. Previously, the overall respiratory virus positivity rate remained high after the influenza seasons had ended (47.7% to 69.9%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, this positive rate, 26.5%, was significantly lower than those in previous years. Hospital-based surveillance showed a decreased number of hospitalized patients with acute viral respiratory illnesses.Conclusions: This study suggests that high compliance to the use of personal preventive measures in public might reduce the incidence of all respiratory virus infections and its hospitalization rates, with no additional quarantine, isolation, or contact screening.

Epidemiological changes in infectious diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Korea: a systematic review

“…Most studies analyzed the epidemiology of respiratory viral infections during the pandemic compared to the 5 years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Four studies [ 8 , 10 , 13 , 14 ] analyzed all 8 viruses (adenovirus [ADV], parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus [IFV], human coronavirus, human rhinovirus [HRV], human bocavirus [HBoV], and human metapneumovirus) reported in the surveillance system data, while the other 6 studies [ 6 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 15 ] analyzed some of the viruses. Of those 6 studies, 4 were of IFV [ 6 , 9 , 11 , 12 ].…”

Population-based study of influenza and invasive meningococcal disease among Greek children during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Few recent studies have shown a decrease in multiple respiratory agents. [22][23][24][25][26] Interestingly, a case series study, that investigated hospitalisation rates of children under the age of 2 years due to lower respiratory infections, revealed a significant reduction in hospitalisation mainly caused by enveloped viruses. Incidence of unenveloped viruses such as rhinoviruses/enteroviruses did not show such impressive decrease.…”

“…The lower basic reproduction number (R 0 ) of influenza20 and IMD21 compared with that of SARS-CoV-2, is a possible explanation for the much stronger impact that those measures had on their transmission. Few recent studies have shown a decrease in multiple respiratory agents 22–26. Interestingly, a case series study, that investigated hospitalisation rates of children under the age of 2 years due to lower respiratory infections, revealed a significant reduction in hospitalisation mainly caused by enveloped viruses.…”

Effect of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Incidence of Other Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Infections in Children in Thai Binh, Vietnam in 2020

“…In a survey of Park et al, surveillance data from the South Korean National Respiratory Virus Sentinel Surveillance System showed a decreased number of hospitalized patients with acute viral respiratory infections in 2020. The peak of influenza-like illness during the COVID-19 epidemic was significantly lower than in 2016–2019 (48.8 cases per 1000 patients versus 86.2 cases per 1000 patients [ 14 ]. At Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, China [ 15 ], before the COVID-19 pandemic, the pediatric outpatient volume showed an increasing trend from 2017 to 2019.…”