Clinical Epidemiological Data of 5,500 COVID-19 Confirmed Cases to Be Released to Researchers

Central Disease Control Headquarters to Release Anonymized Data from the 26th
"Preparing Evidence-Based Quarantine Measures for COVID-19 Resurgence"

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 25th, the quarantine authorities announced that they will provide clinical epidemiological information of about 5,500 confirmed COVID-19 patients to researchers who request it.

The information being disclosed this time includes anonymized basic information of confirmed patients who were hospitalized and subsequently released from isolation as of the end of April, initial examination findings, and admission findings at the time of hospitalization. Data on comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and medical history, as well as bed usage, clinical severity, and general blood test results will also be disclosed.

The data was collected by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Central Disease Control Headquarters and the National Medical Center. To prevent personal information leakage, all information undergoes an anonymization process. From the 26th, applications for the required information will be accepted through the website, and approval must be obtained from each institution’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the COVID-19 Patient Information Utilization Committee. Access will be available through designated channels. Starting next month, additional information such as underlying disease details and medication usage will be available in consultation with the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service.

The government is disclosing this information to prepare evidence-based quarantine measures for the upcoming resurgence. Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated, "We hope that this disclosure will lead many experts to produce a wealth of scientific evidence necessary for establishing quarantine measures."

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