scholarly journals COVID-19, Australia: Epidemiology Report 15: Reporting week to 2359 AEST 10 May 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  

Confirmed cases in Australia notified up to 10 May 2020: notifications = 6,971; deaths = 98. The incidence of new cases of COVID-19 has reduced dramatically since a peak in mid-march. The reduction in international travel, social distancing measures and public health action have likely been effective in slowing the spread of the disease, in the Australian community. Cases of COVID-19 continue to be notified by jurisdictions, albeit at a slowed rate. Testing rates over the past week have increased markedly, with a very low proportion of people testing positive. These low rates of detection are indicative of low levels of COVID-19 transmission. It is important that testing rates and community adherence to public health measures remain high to support the continued suppression of the virus, particularly in vulnerable high-risk groups and settings. In the past reporting week new cases in Australia are mostly considered to be locally acquired, consistent with the drop in international travel. Most locally-acquired cases can be linked back to a known case or cluster. Although the proportion of locally-acquired cases has increased, the overall rate of cases, regardless of place of acquisition, continues to decrease. The crude case fatality rate in Australia remains low (1.4%), compared with the WHO reported global rate (6.9%). The low case fatality rate is likely reflective of high case detection and high quality of health care services in Australia. Deaths from COVID-19 in Australia have occurred predominantly among the elderly and those with comorbidities, with no deaths occurring in those under 40 years. The highest rate of COVID-19 continues to be among people aged 60-79 years, with a third of these cases associated with several outbreaks linked to cruise ships. The lowest rate of disease is in young children, a pattern reflected in international reports. Internationally, cases continue to increase, with some areas such as Brazil and India showing a dramatic rise in reported cases. Although some low-income countries have currently reported few cases, it is possible that this is due to limited diagnostic and public health capacity, and may not be reflective of disease occurrence.

Author(s):  

Confirmed cases in Australia notified up to 17 May 2020: notifications = 7,075; deaths = 100. The incidence of new cases of COVID-19 has reduced dramatically since a peak in mid-March. Social distancing measures, public health action and the reduction in international travel have likely been effective in slowing the spread of the disease, in the Australian community. Testing rates over the past week have increased markedly, with a continued very low proportion of people testing positive. These low rates of detection are indicative of low levels of COVID-19 transmission. It is important that testing rates and community adherence to public health measures remain high to support the continued suppression of the virus, particularly in vulnerable high-risk groups and settings. New cases of COVID-19 are currently being reported by by only some jurisdictions, albeit at relatively low rates. Although case numbers are low, new cases tend to still be a mix of overseas-acquired and locally-acquired infections. Most locally-acquired cases can be linked back to a known case or cluster. Although the proportion of locally-acquired cases has increased, the overall rate of new cases, regardless of place of acquisition, continues to decrease. The crude case fatality rate in Australia remains low (1.4%), compared with the WHO reported global rate (6.9%). The low case fatality rate is likely reflective of high case detection and high quality of health care services in Australia. Deaths from COVID-19 in Australia have occurred predominantly among the elderly and those with comorbidities, with no deaths occurring in those under 40 years. The highest rate of COVID-19 continues to be among people aged 60–79 years. One third of all cases in this age group have been associated with several outbreaks linked to cruise ships. The lowest rate of disease is in young children, a pattern reflected in international reports. Internationally, while the number of new cases each day remains relatively stable at the global level, some areas such as Brazil and India are showing a dramatic rise in reported cases. Although some low-income countries have so far reported few cases, it is possible that this is due to limited diagnostic and public health capacity, and may not be reflective of true disease incidence.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myo Nyein Aung ◽  
Yuka Koyanagi ◽  
Motoyuki Yuasa

Abstract Background: New corona virus outbreak originated in Wuhan, China, started in January 2020 is escalating as pandemic across the globe in March 2020. It causes unprecedented morbidity, shocked health systems and the supply chains in new epicenters such as Italy, Spain and the US., claiming thousands of lives. Meanwhile, the pandemic is reaching swiftly and silently, to low-income countries where international medias cover less. How likely health outcomes among the countries with different economies may differ during the pandemic has not been reported yet.Method: We conducted analysis of COVID-19 deaths comparing case fatality rate (CRF) among countries with different income categories, applying COVID-19 global data from European Centre for Disease Control including 199 countries’ data as of 31 March 2020, in the early phase of pandemic. We categorized countries into high income countries (HIC), upper-middle income countries (UMIC), lower middle-income countries (LMIC) and low-income countries (LIC) according to World Bank classification by income as of 2020.Result: Statistically, countries in different income groups are significantly different in term of new cases identified in last two weeks and case-fatality rate. (Manova P value <0.001). New tests and detected case numbers shot up in HICs where CFR shot up in LMICs and LICs. The results of this analysis pointed out an important gap among countries with different economic status during ongoing pandemic.Discussion: In the HIC, contact tracing, testing capacity and outbreak response as well as clinical services are strong. In the LICs, there is low capacity of outbreak response which is reflected by the significantly lower number of diagnosis tests. Consequently, reported number of COVID-19 cases in LICs may not reflect the actual burden of the pandemic. Without effective prevention, the pandemic can readily break into the weak health system, and over-burden the hospitals, and clinical services in poor countries.Conclusion: This finding is showing health inequality between the rich and the poor being amplified by COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing such a gap though the local governance and integrated global responses will not only prevent unprecedented deaths, but also preserve the momentum towards SDGs


Author(s):  
Myo Nyein Aung ◽  
Yuka Koyanagi ◽  
Motoyuki Yuasa

Abstract Background The new coronavirus outbreak originated in Wuhan, China, started in January 2020 is escalating as a pandemic across the globe in March 2020. It causes unprecedented morbidity and shocked health systems and the supply chains in new epicenters such as Italy, Spain, and the USA, claiming thousands of lives. Meanwhile, the pandemic is reaching swiftly and silently to low-income countries where international media cover less. How likely health outcomes among the countries with different economies may differ during the pandemic has not been reported yet. Methodologically, we conducted an analysis of COVID-19 deaths comparing case fatality rate (CFR) among countries with different income categories, applying COVID-19 global data from the European Centre for Disease Control including 199 countries’ data as of 31 March 2020, in the early phase of the pandemic. We categorized countries into high-income countries (HIC), upper-middle-income countries (UMIC), lower-middle-income countries (LMIC), and low-income countries (LIC) according to World Bank classification by income as of 2020. Finding Statistically, countries in different income groups are significantly different in terms of new cases identified in the last 2 weeks and the case fatality rate (MANOVA, P value < 0.001). New tests and detected case numbers shot up in HICs where CFR shot up in LMICs and LICs. The results of this analysis pointed out an important gap among countries with different economic status during the ongoing pandemic. Conclusion In the HIC, contact tracing, testing capacity, and outbreak response, as well as clinical services, are strong. In the LICs, there is a low capacity of outbreak response which is reflected by the significantly lower number of diagnostic tests. Consequently, the reported number of COVID-19 cases in LICs may not reflect the actual burden of the pandemic. Without effective prevention, the pandemic can readily break into the weak health system and over-burden the hospitals and clinical services in poor countries. This finding is showing health inequality between the rich and the poor being amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing such a gap through the local governance and integrated global responses will not only prevent unprecedented deaths, but also preserve the momentum towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


Author(s):  
Chukwuemeka E. Etodike ◽  
◽  
Elsie C. Ekeghalu ◽  
Kelechi Johnmary Ani ◽  
Emmanuel Mutambara

The novel coronavirus is far from being over; with the case-fatality rate (CFR) hitting more than 16,500 globally as of July, there is a worry that despite the fact that the global CFR curve is showing signs of flattening, the environmental peculiarities of the third world countries may be abetting global efforts towards containing the virus. Therefore, this review x-rayed these peculiarities in the light of their current concern in public health as per their contribution to the persistent surge in CFR in most developing nations. Given that the virus is transmitted via droplets, the review focused on how the state of public and environmental challenges such as air as well as water pollution and personal hygiene could be abetting the surge in coronavirus infections and morbidity. The review revealed, among other things, that challenges associated with poor sanitary conditions, lack of potable water, unventilated environments, air pollution, and poor inter-personal hygiene are devastating challenges in the fight against the pandemic. The implication is that since these conditions are systematic in nature, it may take more than average effort and public sacrifice to checkmate the case-fatality rate of the virus in the third world. Therefore, call for studies is necessary to establish empiricism for CFR patterns and ratio across areas in deplorable environmental and sanitary conditions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-171.e1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon G. Rodier ◽  
Charles J. DiMaggio ◽  
Stephen Wall ◽  
Vasiliy Sim ◽  
Spiros G. Frangos ◽  
...  

Author(s):  

Confirmed cases in Australia notified up to 19 April 2020: notifications = 6,606; deaths = 69. The reduction in international travel and domestic movement, social distancing measures and public health action have likely slowed the spread of the disease. Notifications in Australia remain predominantly among people with recent overseas travel, with some locally-acquired cases being detected. Most locally-acquired cases can be linked back to a confirmed case, with a small portion unable to be epidemiologically linked. The distribution of overseas-acquired cases to locally-acquired cases varies by jurisdiction. The crude case fatality rate (CFR) in Australia remains low (1.0%) compared to the World Health Organization’s globally-reported rate (6.8%) and to other comparable high-income countries such as the United States of America (4.7%) and the United Kingdom (13.5%). The low CFR is likely reflective of high case ascertainment including detection of mild cases. High case ascertainment enables public health response and reduction of disease transmission. Internationally, cases continue to increase. The rates of increase have started to slow in several regions, although it is too soon to tell whether this trend will be sustained. Interpretation of international epidemiology should be conducted with caution as it differs from country to country depending not only on the disease dynamics, but also on differences in case detection, testing and implemented public health measures.


2021 ◽  
pp. 12-14
Author(s):  
Kamlesh Sharma ◽  
Ram Lal Sharma

COVID-19 is a emerging disease and is of public health importance.This study was done to analyse the trends of corona pandemic over a period of one year in Himalayan region in India. Data regarding state statistics from January 2020 to January 2021,was gathered from various sources. Since objective and authentic data was released by different agencies daily and reported to WHO, so the state prole of new cases, cumulative cases, recoveries, cumulative deaths, samples tested, positive samples was taken based on availability of information from National Health Mission site, other state websites and news papers and analysed for various parameters. The current study conducted in Himachal Pradesh showed Case fatality rate as 1.7%, recovery rate 99% and positivity rate 6.1% with Shimla having highest CFR 2.5%. Population wise most affected district was Lahul & Spiti with affected population 4.0%.It may be considered as a severe public health threat of this decade. COVID-19 trends, pattern and its analysis will be very important for control and preventive measures.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rapeepong Suphanchaimat ◽  
Vorasith Sornsrivichai ◽  
Supon Limwattananon ◽  
Panithee Thammawijaya

Abstract Background Road traffic injuries (RTIs) have been one of the most critical public health problems in Thailand for decades. The objective of this study was to examine to what extent provincial economy was associated with RTIs, road traffic deaths and case fatality rate in Thailand. Methods A secondary data analysis on time-series data was applied. The unit of analysis was a panel of 77 provinces during 2012–2016. Data were obtained from relevant public authorities, including the Ministry of Public Health. Descriptive statistics and econometric models, using negative binomial (NB) regression, negative binomial regression with random-effects (RE) model, and spatial Durbin model (SDM) were employed. The main predictor variable was gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the outcome variables were incidence proportion of RTIs, traffic deaths and case fatality rate. The analysis was adjusted for key covariates. Results The incidence proportion of RTIs rose from 449.0 to 524.9 cases per 100,000 population from 2012 till 2016, whereas the incidence of traffic fatalities fluctuated between 29.7 and 33.2 deaths per 100,000 population. Case fatality rate steadily stood at 0.06–0.07 deaths per victim. RTIs and traffic deaths appeared to be positively correlated with provincial economy in the NB regression and the RE model. In the SDM, a log-Baht increase in GDP per capita (equivalent to a growth of GDP per capita by about 2.7 times) enlarged the incidence proportion of injuries and deaths by about a quarter (23.8–30.7%) with statistical significance. No statistical significance was found in case fatality rate by the SDM. The SDM also presented the best model fitness relative to other models. Conclusion The incidence proportion of traffic injuries and deaths appeared to rise alongside provincial prosperity. This means that RTIs-preventive measures should be more intensified in economically well-off areas. Furthermore, entrepreneurs and business sectors that gain economic benefit in a particular province should share responsibility in RTIs prevention in the area where their businesses are running. Further studies that explore others determinants of road safety, such as patterns of vehicles used, attitudes and knowledge of motorists, investment in safety measures, and compliance with traffic laws, are recommended.


Author(s):  
Paolo Pasquariello ◽  
Saverio Stranges

There is much discussion among clinicians, epidemiologists, and public health experts about why case fatality rate from COVID-19 in Italy (at 13.3% as of April 20, 2020, versus a global case fatality rate of 6.9%) is considerably higher than estimates from other countries (especially China, South Korea, and Germany). In this article, we propose several potential explanations for these differences. We suggest that Italy&rsquo;s overall and relative case fatality rate, as reported by public health authorities, is likely to be inflated by such factors as heterogeneous reporting of coronavirus-related fatalities across countries and the iceberg effect of under-testing, yielding a distorted view of the global severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also acknowledge that deaths from COVID-19 in Italy are still likely to be higher than in other equally affected nations due to its unique demographic and socio-economic profile. Lastly, we discuss the important role of the stress imparted by the epidemic on the Italian healthcare system, which weakened its capacity to adequately respond to the sudden influx of COVID-19 patients in the most affected areas of the country, especially in the Lombardy region.


Author(s):  
Wrishmeen Sabawoon

Abstract Objective: To describe differences by country-level income in COVID-19 cases, deaths, case-fatality rates, incidence rates, and death rates per million population. Methods: Publicly available data on COVID-19 cases and deaths from December 31, 2019 to June 3, 2020 were analyzed. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to examine associations of country-level income with COVID-19 cases, deaths, case-fatality rates, incidence rates, and death rates. Results: A total of 380,803 deaths out of 6,348,204 COVID-19 cases were reported from 210 countries and territories globally in the period under study, and the global case-fatality rate was 6.0%. Of the total globally reported cases and deaths, the percentages of cases and deaths were 59.9% and 75.0% for high-income countries, and 30.9% and 20.7% for upper-middle-income countries. Countries in higher-income categories had higher incidence rates and death rates. Between April and May, the incidence rates in higher-income groups of countries decreased, but in other groups, it increased. Conclusions In the first five months of the COVID-19 pandemic, most cases and deaths were reported from high-income and upper-middle-income countries, and those countries had higher incidence rates and death rates per million population than did lower-middle and low-income countries. Keywords: COVID-19, incidence rate, death rate, case fatality rate, income, and country


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