COVID-19의 발생과 확산에 대한 장소 기반의 공간분석연구: 경기도 코로나 확진자 방문 장소를 중심으로 = A Place-based Spatial Analysis on the Occurrence and Diffusion of COVID-19

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

From 2020 to 2023, the Republic of Korea implemented various public health measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including mask distribution and a phased social distancing system applied to institutions, facilities, and industries. However, these policies did not sufficiently reflect expert opinions, including those of the Korean Medical Association, and raised concerns regarding fairness due to inconsistent application and the lack of statistical evidence supporting differentiated regulations. Prolonged restrictions also led to economic contraction and public fatigue, which weakened trust in government policies.
In this context, evidence-based policymaking grounded in reliable statistics has become increasingly important. This study evaluates existing pandemic policies by analyzing the spatial characteristics of COVID-19 transmission using geographic information and spatial statistical methods. Specifically, confirmed patient movement data in Gyeonggi Province from January 20 to March 21, 2020 were examined to identify place-based factors associated with the spread of infection.
The results show that confirmed patients most frequently visited hospitals, homes, and transportation facilities; however, these locations functioned mainly as treatment, isolation, or transit spaces, suggesting limited roles in transmission. In contrast, places such as restaurants, where mask removal and prolonged contact occur, were more likely to function as key spaces for viral spread. These findings highlight the importance of place-based risk assessment and suggest that future public health policies should differentiate preventive measures according to the characteristics and risk levels of specific places to enhance policy effectiveness and efficiency.