95% of Gyeonggi Residents Say They Will Self-Quarantine if They Suspect COVID-19 Symptoms
Suwon NewsPublished 2020.03.04 06:02
Gyeonggi Province conducts public opinion survey on COVID-19 with 1,000 residents57% of residents believe there is a possibility of COVID-19 infection for themselves or family members80% of residents feel anxiety about COVID-19 infection when using public transportation72% give positive evaluation of Gyeonggi Province's COVID-19 response; 92% approve of emergency measures related to Shincheonji
[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] A survey showed that 95% of Gyeonggi Province residents said they would self-quarantine on their own if they experience suspected symptoms of COVID-19.
Gyeonggi Province announced on the 4th the results of a public opinion survey conducted on 1,000 residents on the 29th of last month regarding difficulties related to COVID-19, compliance with behavioral guidelines, and countermeasures.
When respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough suggest suspected COVID-19 symptoms, 95% responded that they would self-quarantine by not attending school, going to work, or going out even without government measures.
57% of residents answered that there is a possibility of COVID-19 infection for themselves or their families, viewing the infection risk higher than during the 2015 MERS outbreak (47%). In cities and counties where confirmed COVID-19 cases have occurred, the response indicating a sense of infection possibility was slightly higher at 60%.
80% of residents said they feel anxiety about COVID-19 infection when using public transportation recently. As measures to prevent COVID-19 spread through public transportation, responses were in the following order: ▲Regular quarantine and disinfection of public transportation (29%) ▲Recommendations for work-from-home and remote work (24%) ▲Expansion of temporary closures and leave for companies (14%) ▲Expansion of fever checks on public transportation and installation of hand sanitizers (11%).
The most difficult aspect due to the COVID-19 crisis was cited as difficulty in purchasing masks (41%). This was followed by ▲inconvenience in daily life such as shopping and using public transportation (37%) ▲fear of meeting relatives and acquaintances (35%) ▲decreased household income (24%) (based on multiple responses for first and second choices). In particular, regarding 'decreased household income,' 56% of self-employed respondents said it was serious.
15% of residents said they experienced childcare problems due to daycare center closures or postponement of kindergarten and elementary school openings. 13% had children in need of care but were not experiencing the problem, and the remaining 72% responded that they 'do not have children needing care,' indicating that over half of residents with childcare-dependent children are experiencing this issue.
The majority of residents were found to be following behavioral guidelines well to prevent COVID-19 spread. Responses indicating compliance exceeded 90% in most items: ▲Washing hands with soap under running water (97%) ▲Covering mouth and nose with sleeve when coughing (95%) ▲Wearing masks when going out (95%). Additionally, 96% were aware of the behavioral guidelines requiring consultation with nearby health centers, 1339, or regional 120 call centers first if fever or cough and other suspected COVID-19 symptoms appear.
68% of residents believed they must report to health centers if they see someone suspected of infection in places where many people gather such as schools or workplaces.
Regarding the Gyeonggi Province's recent response to COVID-19, 72% of residents evaluated it as doing well. In particular, regarding Gyeonggi Province's emergency measures related to Shincheonji including ▲prohibition of gatherings ▲forced facility closures ▲forced epidemiological investigations ▲comprehensive surveys, 92% of residents ('very much' 73%, 'generally' 19%) responded that they were appropriate.
Kwak Yun-seok, Spokesperson and Public Relations Director, stated, “Through the survey result showing 95% of residents willing to self-quarantine without going to school or work when showing suspected COVID-19 symptoms, we were able to confirm the very mature civic consciousness of residents,” and added, “If there is someone suspected of COVID-19 around you, we ask for active reports to health centers so that they can receive confirmed tests quickly.”
This survey was commissioned by Gyeonggi Province to K-Stat Research Co., Ltd., and was conducted on 1,000 residents aged 18 and over on the 29th of last month through telephone interviews. The confidence level is 95% with a sampling error of ±3.1%p.
© Suwon Ilbo. Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited.
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