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KMID : 1143420220150080488
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Public Health Weekly Report
2022 Volume.15 No. 8 p.488 ~ p.494
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Epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 reinfection cases in the Republic of Korea
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Lee Sang-Eun
Park Young-Joon
Lee Sang-Eun
Park Young-Joon
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Abstract
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This case-control study monitored the epidemiological characteristics of reinfection cases since the beginning of the
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Republic of Korea. By November 30, 2021, 142 COVID-19 suspected
reinfection cases were reported. Findings indicated that the reinfection was an uncommon event (0.031%). The average
age of reinfected patients was 37.1 years, and the mean time from primary to reinfection was 120 days. This study found
that 66.7% of the reinfection cases were asymptomatic and that they occured more frequently in metropolitan areas
(Seoul) (75.3%). Critical illness happened in 2.1% of the total reinfection cases. The reinfection outbreak during the Delta dominant period (Group 1) was six times greater than the Alpha and Beta dominant period (Group 2) (P<0.001), accounting for the high transmissibility of the Delta variant. No statistical differences in age group, sex, and symptoms were observed between the two groups (P=0.2698, P=0.5565, P=0.7574, respectively). Upon the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, the overall median survival time was 104 days (95% CI=96-114 days). The median survival time for each group was 120 days and 102 days, respectively. Among the 156,961 confirmed cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 from January 2020 to June 2021, the vaccination status of those reinfected during July-November 2021 was compared with that of residents who were not reinfected. The full and partial vaccinated groups were associated with 0.34 times the odds of reinfection compared with the unvaccinated group. These findings suggested that at least partial vaccination should be provided for all eligible persons, to reduce the risk of future infection. As of December 2021, there were growing concerns about COVID-19 reinfections due to the COVID-19 variant of concern Omicron outbreak. Thus, continuous monitoring and risk assessment studies are necessary to prevent ongoing COVID-19 reinfection cases.
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KEYWORD
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Reinfection, Risk, Vaccine
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