Quantitative analysis of self-reporting and contact tracing in heterogeneous risk groups: a stochastic modeling study of the COVID-19 outbreak in Daegu, Korea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the early stages of a novel infectious disease outbreak, when vaccines, treatments, and herd immunity are lacking, non-pharmaceutical interventions-particularly self-reporting and contact tracing-play a critical role in suppressing transmission. During the first wave of COVID-19 in Korea, a large outbreak centered around a religious community in Daegu rapidly escalated, thus highlighting the transmission risks associated with a closed and low-reporting high-risk group. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of self-reporting and contact tracing strategies across heterogeneous risk groups.

Methods

The population of Daegu was stratified into two groups: a high-risk group characterized by high transmissibility and low reporting rate, and a low

SUBMITTER: Han J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12577356 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature