• Hye Seong, Hak Jun Hyun, Jin Gu Yun, Ji Yun Noh, Hee Jin Cheong, Woo Joo Kim, and Joon Young Song.
• Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
• Int. J. Infect. Dis. 2021 Mar 1; 104: 742-745.

ObjectivesTo compare epidemiologic features of the second and third waves of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in South Korea.MethodsNationwide COVID-19 data were collected between 6 May and 30 December 2020. The degree of social activity was estimated using an Internet search trend analysis program for leisure-related keywords, including 'eating-out', 'trip' and 'get directions' (transportation). Demographics, transmission chains, case fatality rates, social activity levels and public health responses were compared between the second (13 August-18 September 2020) and third (4 November 2020-present) waves.ResultsIn comparison with the second wave, the third wave was characterized by delayed strengthening of social distancing policies (3 vs. 15 days), longer duration (36 vs. >56 days) and a higher case fatality rate (0.91% vs. 1.26%). There were significant differences in transmission chains between the second and third waves (P < 0.01). In comparison with the second wave, the proportion of local clusters (24.8% vs. 45.7%) was lower in the third wave, and personal contact transmission (38.5% vs. 25.9%) and unknown routes of transmission (23.5% vs. 20.8%) were higher in the third wave.ConclusionEarly and timely interventions with strengthened social distancing policies should be implemented to suppress and control the COVID-19 pandemic effectively.Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

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