ArticleJournal of Korean medical science2022
Optimal Social Distancing Policy for COVID-19 Control in Korea: A Model-Based Analysis.
Article in Journal of Korean medical science, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Integrated Clinical and Social Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea: A Combined Systematic and Narrative Review.Journal of Korean medical science · 2026Pooled it
- Changes in Bystander CPR Patterns of Private and Public Locations Before and After COVID-19: An Interrupted Time-Series of a Multicentre Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Cohort.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Pediatric COVID-19 in Korea: Lessons and Strategies for Future Disease-X Preparedness.Journal of Korean medical science · 2026Review
- The impact of human behavioral adaptation stratified by immune status on COVID-19 spread with application to South Korea.PloS one · 2026Article
- Crowded Spaces, Contagious Risks: Comparing COVID-19 Incidence After Outdoor Concerts Among University Members and the Community, Republic of Korea, 2022.Journal of Korean medical science · 2025Article
- Correlates of Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Korean Adults.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Ambient climatic conditions and semen quality: a comparative analysis across the periods before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2025Article
- Factors Affecting Adherence to Social Distancing among Adults Aged 19-44 Years: Insights from a Nationwide Survey during COVID-19 Pandemic.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2024Article
- Influence of Intolerance of Uncertainty on Preoccupation With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Among Frontline Nursing Professionals: Mediating Role of Reassurance-Seeking Behavior and Adherence to Physical Distancing.Journal of Korean medical science · 2023Article
- A Model-Based Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Long-Acting Monoclonal Antibody (Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab: Evusheld) Preventive Treatment for High-Risk Populations Against SARS-CoV-2 in Korea.Journal of Korean medical science · 2023Article
- The Impact of Entry Restrictions on the Spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Variants Between 2021 and 2022.Journal of Korean medical science · 2023Article
- Changing Trends in the Incidence and Clinical Features ofLife (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Mathematical Modeling of COVID-19 Transmission and Intervention in South Korea: A Review of Literature.Yonsei medical journal · 2023Review
- Correlation Between Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccines and Regional Case Fatality Rates During the Omicron Wave in Korea.Journal of Korean medical science · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundSince March 2020, when coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic, many countries have applied unprecedented restrictive measures to contain the spread of the virus. This study aimed to explore the optimal social distancing policy for COVID-19 control in South Korea to safely reopen the society.
methodsWe developed an age-specific, deterministic compartment epidemic model to examine the COVID-19 control decision-making process, including the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) between 1 July 2021 and 30 December 2022. The model consists of the natural history of COVID-19, testing performance, vaccinations, and social distancing enforcement measures to detect and control SARS-CoV-2. We modelled potential intervention scenarios with three distinct components: 1) social distancing duration and level; 2) testing intensity; and 3) vaccination uptake rate. The primary and secondary outcomes were COVID-19 incidence and prevalence of severe patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) care.
resultsFour (or more) months of social distancing (that can reduce 40-60% transmission) may mitigate epidemic resurgence and ICU demand in the future and keep the cases below the capacity limit if the testing intensity and vaccination rate remain constant or increase by 20% (with respect to the current level). In contrast, two months of strict social distancing enforcement may also successfully mitigate future epidemic surge and ICU demand as long as testing intensity and vaccination rates are increased by 20%.
conclusionIn South Korea, given the relatively high vaccination coverage and low incidence, four or more months of social distancing enforcement can effectively mitigate epidemic resurgence after lifting the social distancing measures. In addition, increasing the testing intensity and vaccination rate may help reduce necessary social distancing levels and duration to prevent a future epidemic resurgence and mitigate social and economic damage.
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