A New Tech-Powered Epidemic Control Versus Flattening the Curve: Insights from South Korea's Experience in COVID-19 Control

Background: As a new approach to control COVID-19, we have conceptualised a tech-powered model that pre-empts further infection by comprehensively identifying the infection’s sources and traces. This model aims to quickly cap the epidemic’s curve instead of traditional flattening. We have documented empirical evidence for this new conceptualization. Methods: Data regarding daily incidences and fatalities from the outbreak to 12 August 2020 were collected from nine countries that had reported their outbreak before 01 February 2020. Each country’s epidemic curve was characterised by its peak height (peak incidence), time to peak (TTP), and cumulative incidence (CI). It was hypothesised that a quicker TTP is associated with a lower peak incidence, lower CI, and lower case-fatality when the epidemic curves are capped instead of being flattened. Results: Since the outbreak, China and South Korea have had the two quickest TTPs of 40·70 and 45·37 days, respectively, and the lowest peak incidences of 2·95 and 4·65 cases per day respectively. Meanwhile, Sweden known for its laissez-faire approach to dealing with the epidemic had the longest TTP (120·36 days) and the highest peak incidence (279·74 days). Quicker TTPs were correlated with lower peak incidences (ρ = 0·896, p = 0·0026) and with lower CIs (0·864, p = 0·0056), which supports the hypothesis. Conclusions: Overall, the multiple nations concerned had implemented a tech-powered approach to cap the epidemic curve. The conceptualisation of the capping model marks a paradigm shift in epidemic control and accordingly informs the design of a more effective epidemic control program. Funding Statement: This study did not receive any funding. Declaration of Interests: All the authors of this study declare that they have no conflict of interest.