scholarly journals Effectiveness of Containment Measures to Control the Spread of COVID-19 in North Africa

Author(s):  
Ouail Ouchetto ◽  
Asmaa Drissi Bourhanbour ◽  
Mounir Boumhamdi

ABSTRACT Objectives: Since the first case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, identified in December 2019, in Wuhan in China, the number of cases rapidly increased into a pandemic. Governments worldwide have adopted different strategies and measures to interrupt the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The main objective was to report and evaluate the effectiveness of the adopted measures in North Africa countries. Methods: In these countries, the effective reproductive number R(t), the naïve case fatality rate, and the adjusted case fatality rate were estimated and compared on different dates. Results: The obtained results show that the early strict application of containment measures and confinement could help contain the spread of the epidemic and maintain the number of deaths low. Conclusions: These measures might be useful for other countries that are experiencing the start of local COVID-19 outbreaks. They could also serve to halt the spread of new epidemics or pandemics.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Youssef Kada

BACKGROUND Covid-19 is an emerging infectious disease like viral zoonosis caused by new coronavirus SARS CoV 2. On December 31, 2019, Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in Hubei province (China) reported cases of pneumonia, the origin of which is a new coronavirus. Rapidly extendable around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) declares it pandemic on March 11, 2020. This pandemic reaches Algeria on February 25, 2020, date on which the Algerian minister of health, announced the first case of Covid-19, a foreign citizen. From March 1, a cluster is formed in Blida and becomes the epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic in Algeria, its total quarantine is established on March 24, 2020, it will be smoothly alleviated on April 24. A therapeutic protocol based on hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin was put in place on March 23, for complicated cases, it was extended to all the cases confirmed on April 06. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquin/azithromycin protocol in Algeria, in particular after its extension to all patients diagnosed COVID-19 positive on RT-PCR test. We were able to illustrate this fact graphically, but not to prove it statistically because the design of our study, indeed in the 7 days which followed generalization of therapeutic protocol, case fatality rate decrease and doubling time increase, thus confirming the impact of wide and early prescription of hydroxychloroquin/azithromycin protocol. METHODS We have analyzed the data collected from press releases and follow-ups published daily by the Ministry of Health, we have studied the possible correlations of these data with certain events or decisions having a possible impact on their development, such as confinement at home and its reduction, the prescription of hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin combination for serious patients and its extension to all positive COVID subjects. Results are presented in graphics, the data collection was closed on 31/05/2020. RESULTS Covid-19 pandemic spreads from February 25, 2020, when a foreign citizen is tested positive, on March 1 a cluster is formed in the city of Blida where sixteen members of the same family are infected during a wedding party. Wilaya of Blida becomes the epicentre of coronavirus epidemic in Algeria and lockdown measures taken, while the number of national cases diagnosed begins to increases In any event, the association of early containment measures combined with a generalized initial treatment for all positive cases, whatever their degree of severity, will have contributed to a reduction in the fatality rate of COVID 19 and a slowing down of its doubling time. CONCLUSIONS In Algeria, the rapid combination of rigorous containment measure at home and early generalized treatment with hydroxychloroquin have demonstrated their effectiveness in terms of morbidity and mortality, the classic measures of social distancing and hygiene will make it possible to perpetuate these results by reducing viral transmission, the only unknown, the reopening procedure which can only be started after being surrounded by precautions aimed at ensuring the understanding of the population. CLINICALTRIAL Algeria, Covid-19, pandemic, hydroxychloroquin, azithromycin, case fatality rate


Author(s):  
Saumil Maduskar

COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus and has a case fatality rate of 2-3%, with higher rates among elderly patients and patients with comorbidities. It was determined in a study that the viral load peaked during the first week of illness and then gradually declined over the second week. Viral load also correlates with age and the existent of comorbidities. Furthermore, both IgG and IgM antibodies starts to increase by around day 10 after symptomatic onset and most patients had seroconversion within the first 3 weeks. This hints at the fact that the patients are most infectious during the first week of infection and also accounts for the high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 during this period


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Elena Flacco ◽  
Cecilia Acuti Martellucci ◽  
Francesca Bravi ◽  
Giustino Parruti ◽  
Alfonso Mascitelli ◽  
...  

Abstract This retrospective cohort study included all the subjects diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (n = 2493) in 2 Italian provinces. Two hundred fifty-eight persons died, after a median of 14.0 ± 11.0 days. Adjusting for age, gender, and main comorbidities, the ≥28-day case-fatality rate did not decrease from March to April 2020 (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.93; P = .6).


Author(s):  
Dian Yaniarti Hasanah ◽  
Siti Elkana Nauli ◽  
Vebiona Kartini Prima Putri ◽  
Habibie Arifianto ◽  
Nana Maya Suryana ◽  
...  

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) yang dikenal dengan COVID-19 adalah penyakit yang baru dan telah menyebar dengan cepat dari Wuhan (provinsi Hubei) ke provinsi lain di Cina dan seluruh dunia termasuk Indonesia. Secara umum, COVID-19 adalah penyakit akut yang bisa sembuh tetapi juga mematikan, dengan case fatality rate (CFR) sebesar 4%. Spektrum klinis pneumonia COVID-19 berkisar dari kondisi ringan sampai dengan berat. COVID 19 diduga memiliki risiko potensiasi proses patofisiologi terhadap timbulnya komplikasi kardiak, dan telah diketahui bahwa mekanisme penyakit kardiovaskular serupa dengan mekanisme jalur imunologi. Penyakit kardiovaskular adalah komorbid terbanyak pada pasien COVID 19, SARS, dan MERS. Prevalensi diabetes mellitus (DM) dan penyakit kardiovaskular pada SARS adalah 11% dan 8% dan membawa angka kematian meningkat 2 kali lipat. Pada kasus COVID 19, komorbid penyakit kardiovaskular lebih banyak menunjukkan kasus yang berat. Bagaimana mekanisme komorbid ini memperburuk keluaran pasien masih tidak jelas, namun beberapa hipotesisnya antara lain usia lanjut, gangguan sistem imun, peningkatan kadar ACE2 atau mungkin ada hubungan antara COVID 19 dengan penyakit kardiovaskular. Tinjauan pustaka ini akan menjelaskan berbagai gangguan kardiovaskular yang mungkin terjadi pada infeksi COVID 19 secara lebih mendalam.  


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-412
Author(s):  
Akihiko Kawana ◽  

Severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, was the first emerging infection of the 21stcentury. Severe pneumonia is the main symptom, and the case fatality rate was about 10%. In general, convalescence becomes less satisfactory with the age of the patient. The older the patient is, the more unsatisfactorily his or her convalescence is. The disease is transmitted mainly through the spread of droplets from the human respiratory tract. Many health care professionals became infected with SARS within the medical facilities in which they worked. No peculiar medicine or vaccine for SARS has yet been developed. A worldwide epidemic of SARS centered in China broke out around during the period from 2002 to 2003; about 8,000 cases were recorded. Although this epidemic has come to an end, attention should be paid to SARS because of its possible reemergence. Preparedness for SARS can be also applied to measures against other emerging infections.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 713
Author(s):  
Evi Diliana Rospia ◽  
Dwi Kartika Cahyaningtyas ◽  
Desi Rofita ◽  
Cahaya Indah Lestari ◽  
Ni Wayan Ari Adi Putri ◽  
...  

ABSTRAKNovel coronavirus 2019 atau virus corona sindrom pernafasan akut parah yang disebut COVID-19. Gejala klinis utama yang muncul yaitu demam, batuk dan kesulitan bernapas. World Health Organization (WHO) melaporkan 11.84.226 kasus konfirmasi dengan 545.481 kematian di seluruh dunia (Case Fatality Rate/CFR 4,6%). Di Indonesia kasus meningkat dan menyebar dengan cepat, kasus pertama pada tanggal 2 Maret 2020, pada tanggal 9 Juli 2020 Kementerian Kesehatan melaporkan 70.736 kasus konfirmasi COVID-19 dengan 3.417 kasus meninggal (CFR 4,8%). Kegiatan vaksinasi masal ini bertujuan terbentuknya herd immunity (kekebalan kelompok) dan berkurangnya angka kematian akibat COVID-19 pada masyarakat. Kegiatan vaksinasi masal dilaksanakan di Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram Kota Mataram Nusa Tenggara Barat, dan jenis vaksin yang digunakan pada kegiatan vaksinasi masal ini adalah Sinovac. Jumlah responden yang mengikuti kegiatan ini sebanyak 1.000 orang. Hasil pengabdian didapatkan jumlah yang melakukan vaksinasi sebanyak 1000 orang yang terdiri dari masyarakat umum dan karyawan Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram. Kata kunci: vaksinasi; covid-19; komunitas; indonesia. ABSTRACTNovel coronavirus 2019 or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus called COVID-19. The main symptoms that appear are fever, cough and difficulty breathing. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports 11,84,226 confirmed cases with 545,481 deaths worldwide (Case Fatality Rate/CFR 4.6%) In Indonesia cases are increasing and spreading rapidly, the first case on March 2, 2020, on July 9 2020 The Ministry of Health reported 70,736 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 3,417 deaths (CFR 4.8%). This mass vaccination activity aims to form herd immunity and reduce the death rate due to COVID-19 in the community. The mass vaccination activity was carried out at the Muhammadiyah University of Mataram, and the type of vaccine used in this mass vaccination activity was Sinovac. The number of respondents who participated in this activity was 1,000 people. The results of the service found that the number of people who vaccinated was 1000 people consisting of the general public and employees of the Muhammadiyah University of Mataram. Keywords: vaccination; covid-19; community; indonesia. 


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e046764
Author(s):  
Esayas Kebede Gudina ◽  
Dabesa Gobena ◽  
Tessema Debela ◽  
Daniel Yilma ◽  
Tsinuel Girma ◽  
...  

IntroductionDespite unrelenting efforts to contain its spread, COVID-19 is still causing unprecedented global crises. Ethiopia reported its first case on 13 March 2020 but has an accelerated case load and geographical distribution recently. In this article, we described the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Oromia Region, the largest and most populous region in Ethiopia, during the early months of the outbreak.MethodsWe analysed data from the COVID-19 surveillance database of the Oromia Regional Health Bureau. We included all reverse transcription-PCR-confirmed cases reported from the region between 13 March and 13 September 2020.ResultsCOVID-19 was confirmed in 8955 (5.5%) of 164 206 tested individuals. The test positivity rate increased from an average of 1.0% in the first 3 months to 6.3% in August and September. About 70% (6230) of the cases were men; the mean age was 30.0 years (SD=13.3), and 90.5% were <50 years of age. Only 64 (0.7%) of the cases had symptoms at diagnosis. Cough was the most common among symptomatic cases reported in 48 (75.0%), while fever was the least. Overall, 4346 (48.5%) have recovered from the virus; and a total of 52 deaths were reported with a case fatality rate of 1.2%. However, we should interpret the reported case fatality rate cautiously since in 44 (84.6%) of those reported as COVID-19 death, the virus was detected from dead bodies.ConclusionDespite the steady increase in the number of reported COVID-19 cases, Ethiopia has so far avoided the feared catastrophe from the pandemic due to the milder and asymptomatic nature of the disease. However, with the current pattern of widespread community transmission, the danger posed by the pandemic remains real. Thus, the country should focus on averting COVID-19-related humanitarian crisis through strengthening COVID-19 surveillance and targeted testing for the most vulnerable groups.


Author(s):  
Wagida A. Anwar ◽  
Amany Mokhtar

AbstractThe first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Egypt was reported on 14 February 2020 and the number of reported cases has increased daily. The purpose of this study is to describe the current situation of Covid-19 in Egypt and to predict the expected timing of the peak of this epidemic using current confirmed cases and deaths. We used one of the online tools; the Epidemic Calculator that utilizes, the well-known SEIR compartmental model. We utilized the daily reports published by the Egyptian Ministry of Health & Population from 14 February to 11 May 2020. Given the highest calculated case fatality rate (7.7%), the number of hospitalized individuals is expected to peak in the middle of June with a peak of hospitalized cases of 20,126 individuals and total expected deaths 12,303. We recommend strengthening of the Egyptian preventive and control measures so as to decrease the CFR and the number of cases to the least possible as we approach the epidemic peak. It is most important that appropriate quarantine measures are retained., the quarantine measures should not be relaxed before the end of June, 2020.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolás Parra ◽  
Vladimir Vargas-Calderón ◽  
Juan Sebastián Flórez ◽  
Leonel Ardila ◽  
Carlos Viviescas

Since March 6, when Colombia confirmed its first case of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the country healthcare system, with a limited testing capability, has struggled to monitor and report current cases. At the outbreak of a virus, data on cases is sparse and commonly severe cases, with a higher probability of a fatal resolution, are detected at a higher rate than mild cases. In addition, in an under-sampling situation, the number of total cases is under-estimated leading to a biased case fatality rate estimation, most likely inflating the virus mortality. Real time estimation of case fatality ratio can also be biased downwards by overlooking the delay between symptoms onset to death. In this communication, using reported data from Instituto Nacional de Salud up to December 28, we estimate the case fatality rate for Covid-19 in Colombia and some of its regions and cities adjusting for delay from onset to death. We then apply the method proposed by Russell et al., and use our corrected case fatality rate to estimate the percentage of Covid-19 cases reported in Colombia as 42.95% (95% confidence interval: 42.50-43.41), which corresponds to a total of 3'661,621 estimated Covid-19 cases in the country.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 856-864
Author(s):  
Rama Shankar Rath ◽  
Anand Mohan Dixit ◽  
Anil Ramesh Koparkar ◽  
Pradip Kharya ◽  
Hari Shanker Joshi

The COVID-19 pandemic currently expanded its roots to the 206 countries in the world. The morbidity and mortality are not only threat to humans but also its impact on economy is indirectly affecting us. The current review was done to find trend in various states of India. Data was collected from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and descriptive analysis of the distribution of COVID-19 cases in different states of India. First case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in southern most state Kerala and after that it has spread to all other states but situations are more worsen in states with high international migration. Maharashtra is now the most affected state followed by Delhi. Among epidemic curve of all these states, Maharashtra has rapidly growing epidemic curve with highest slope, whereas Kerala has the lowest. When we compared the day wise cumulative case fatality rate, it was found that the case fatality rate of the states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan showed decrease in the case fatality rate over the period. Population density is also one of the key determinants of social interaction and thus the spread of disease specifically in communicable diseases. Government of India had taken many strong initiatives e.g. 40 days nation-wide lockdown, thermal screening at airport, announcement of relief packages for poor and quarantine of outsiders but still there are many missed opportunities like, early stoppage of international traffic, compulsory quarantine for all international travellers, better contact tracing, strong law and order and better preparedness plan.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document