Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 under Government-mandated Control Measures during January-February 2020 in Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract BackgroundThere were 75 local confirmed cases during the COVID-19 epidemic followed by an outbreak of Wuhan in Inner Mongolia. The aims of our study were to provide reference to control measures of COVID-19 and scientific information for supporting government decision-making for serious infectious disease, in remote regions with relatively insufficient medical resources like Inner Mongolia.MethodsThe data published by Internet were summarized in order to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19. The basic reproductive number (R 0 ), incubation period, time from illness onset to confirmed and the duration of hospitalization were analyzed. The composition of imported and local secondary cases and the mild/common and severe/critical cases among different ages, genders and major clinical symptoms were compared.ResultsIn 2020, from January 23 to February 19 (less than 1 month), 75 local cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Inner Mongolia. Among them, the median age was 45 years old (34.0, 57.0), and 61.1% were male and 33 were imported (44.0%). 29 (38.7%) were detected through close contact tracking, more than 80.0% were mild/common cases. The fatality rate was 1.3% and the basic reproductive number (R 0 ) was estimated to be 2.3. The median incubation period was 8.5 days (6.0~12.0) and the maximum incubation period reached 28 days. There was a statistically difference in the incubation period between imported and local secondary cases ( P <0.001). The duration of hospitalization of patients with incubation period <8.5 days was higher than that of patients with incubation period ≥8.5 days (30.0 vs. 24.0 days).ConclusionIn Inner Mongolia, an early and mandatory control strategy by government associated with the rapidly reduced incidence of COVID-19, by which the epidemic growth was controlled completely. And the fatality rate of COVID-19 was relatively low.

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An Epidemiological Analysis of COVID-19 Confirmed Cases, Reported at National Institute of Health, Pakistan (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.20605 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ambreen Chaudhry

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Target Population ◽

Control Measures ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Travel History ◽

Disease Epidemiology ◽

Hygiene Practices ◽

Multi Center Study ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is a zoonotic disease of novel origin that posed a continuous threat to health worldwide after taking the shape of the pandemic. An understanding of disease epidemiology is supportive in timely preventive and control measures as well as contact tracing and curbing surveillance activities. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 confirmed cases reported at the National Institute of Health Pakistan and elements of its spread in Pakistan. METHODS A retrospective record review was conducted at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad, Pakistan from January 25 to April 4, 2020. Univariate and bivariate analysis was done with 95% CI and p<0.05. RESULTS A total of 14,422 samples of suspected COVID-19 cases were received with a positivity rate of 9% (n=1348). Among all 70% (n=939) were male. The median age was 41years of age (range: 01-99Years). Among all, 19% were from 30-39 years old followed by 50-59 years old (17%). Children remained the least affected by 3% (n=35). Of the total reported cases, 55% (n=735) have reported the travel history within the last 14 days. Among these travelers’ international travelers were 23% (n=166) and domestic travelers were 77% (n=569). Travel history including both international and domestic remained significantly associated with the different age groups and Young adults remained more vulnerable to COVID-19 (P=0.03). Fever, SOB, and Cough remained the most significantly associated (P<0.05) in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS A higher incidence of COVID-19 among elderly men suggests robust quarantine measures for this target population. An escalating incidence of local transmission needs strict social distancing and hygiene practices to help flatten the curve. An extensive multi-center study is also recommended for a full understanding of disease dynamics.

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Role of Wild Boar in the Spread of Classical Swine Fever in Japan

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens8040206 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 206 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ito ◽

Jurado ◽

Bosch ◽

Ito ◽

Sánchez-Vizcaíno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wild Boar ◽

Spatial Association ◽

Classical Swine Fever ◽

Temporal Analysis ◽

Control Measures ◽

Domestic Pig ◽

Potential Contact ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics ◽

Gifu Prefecture

Since September 2018, nearly 900 notifications of classical swine fever (CSF) have been reported in Gifu Prefecture (Japan) affecting domestic pig and wild boar by the end of August 2019. To determine the epidemiological characteristics of its spread, a spatio-temporal analysis was performed using actual field data on the current epidemic. The spatial study, based on standard deviational ellipses of official CSF notifications, showed that the disease likely spread to the northeast part of the prefecture. A maximum significant spatial association estimated between CSF notifications was 23 km by the multi-distance spatial cluster analysis. A space-time permutation analysis identified two significant clusters with an approximate radius of 12 and 20 km and 124 and 98 days of duration, respectively. When the area of the identified clusters was overlaid on a map of habitat quality, approximately 82% and 75% of CSF notifications, respectively, were found in areas with potential contact between pigs and wild boar. The obtained results provide information on the current CSF epidemic, which is mainly driven by wild boar cases with sporadic outbreaks on domestic pig farms. These findings will help implement control measures in Gifu Prefecture.

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Epidemiological characteristics of the first 100 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, a city with a stringent containment policy

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyaa106 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 1096-1105 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christopher K C Lai ◽

Rita W Y Ng ◽

Martin C S Wong ◽

Ka Chun Chong ◽

Yun Kit Yeoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Incubation Period ◽

Mainland China ◽

Control Measures ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Border Control ◽

Government Information ◽

Epidemic Curve ◽

Containment Policy ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background Hong Kong (HK) is a densely populated city near the epicentre of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Stringent border control together with aggressive case finding, contact tracing, social distancing and quarantine measures were implemented to halt the importation and spread of the virus. Methods We performed an epidemiological study using government information covering the first 100 confirmed cases to examine the epidemic curve, incidence, clusters, reproduction number (Rt), incubation period and time to containment. Results A total of 93 of the 100 cases were HK residents (6 infected in Mainland China, 10 on the Diamond Princess Cruise). Seven were visitors infected in Mainland China before entering HK. The majority (76%) were aged ≥45 years, and the incidence increased with age (P < 0.001). Escalation of border control measures correlated with a decrease in the proportion (62.5% to 0%) of cases imported from Mainland China, and a reduction in Rt (1.07 to 0.75). The median incubation period was 4.2 days [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.0–4.5; 5th and 95th percentiles: 1.3 and 14.0). Most clusters with identifiable epidemiological links were households involving 2–4 people. Three medium-spreading events were identified: two from New Year gatherings (6–11 people), and another from environmental contamination of a worship hall (12 people). Despite intensified contact tracing, containment was delayed in 78.9% of cases (mean = 5.96 days, range = 0–24 days). An unusual transmission in a multi-storey building via faulty toilet plumbing was suspected with >100 residents evacuated overnight. Our analysis indicated that faulty plumbing was unlikely to be the source of this transmission. Conclusion Timely stringent containment policies minimized the importation and transmission of COVID-19 in HK.

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Epidemiology and contact tracing assessment of COVID-19 and potential risk of transmission at different exposure settings: A prospective cohort study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-442709/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abu Shadat M Noman ◽

Mohammed Rezaul Karim ◽

ASM Zahed ◽

ATM Rezaul Karim ◽

Syed S Islam

Keyword(s):

Risk Ratio ◽

Attack Rate ◽

Close Contact ◽

Household Contact ◽

Control Measures ◽

Effective Control ◽

Secondary Contact ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics ◽

Index Cases ◽

Close Contacts

Abstract Background: Transmission risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to close contacts and at different exposure settings are yet to be fully understood for the evaluation of effective control measures. Methods: We traced 1171 close contact cases who were linked to 291 index cases between July 3, 2020 and September 3, 2020. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of all index cases, close contacts, and secondary contact cases were collected and analyzed the secondary attack rate and risk of transmission at different exposure settings. Results: Median age of 291 index cases were 43.0 years (range 18.5-82.3) including 213 male and 78 females. Among all 1171 close contact cases, 39(3.3%) cases were identified as secondary infected cases. Among 39 secondary cases, 33(84.62%) cases were symptomatic and 3 (7.69%) cases were asymptomatic. Of the 33 symptomatic cases, 31(86.1%) male and 5(13.9%) female. Of these 36 symptomatic cases, 24(66.7%) cases between age 20-59 and remaining 12(33.3%) cases were age 60 and over. Of the 36 symptomatic cases, 11(30.6%) cases were identified as severe, 19(52.8%) as moderate and 6(16.7%) as mild. The overall secondary clinical attack rate was 3.07% (95% CI 2.49-3.64). The attack rate was higher among those aged between 50 to 69 years and shows higher risk of transmission than age below 50 years. The attack rate was higher among household contact (6.17%(95%CI 4.7-7.6; risk ratio 2.44[95%CI1.5-3.4]), and lower in hospital facility (2.29%,95%CI0.58-3.40; [risk ratio 0.91,95%CI 0.17-1.9]), funeral ceremony (2.53%,95%CI 0.32-4.73), work places (3.95%,95% CI2.5-5.42 [risk ratio 1.56,95%CI 0.63-2.5]), family contacts (3.87%,95%CI 2.4-5.3; risk ratio 1.53,95%CI 0.61-2.45]). Conclusions: Among all exposure settings analyzed, household contact exposure setting remained the highest transmission probability and risk of transmission of COVID-19 with the increase of age and disease severity.

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Living conditions, seroprevalence and symptoms of COVID-19 in slums in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória (Espírito Santo)

Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia ◽

10.1590/1980-549720210048 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

Author(s):

Ethel Leonor Noia Maciel ◽

Pablo Medeiros Jabor ◽

Laylla Ribeiro Macedo ◽

Gilton Luiz Almada ◽

Raphael Lubiana Zanotti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elementary Education ◽

Public Transportation ◽

Social Inequalities ◽

Mixed Race ◽

Population Based ◽

Control Measures ◽

Metropolitan Region ◽

Significance Level ◽

The Social ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

ABSTRACT: Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in residents of the Greater Vitória region living in subnormal and non-subnormal agglomerates, and to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of total residents (infected and not infected with SARS-CoV-2) between them. Methods: Population-based prevalence study conducted by serological testing in 2020, with a study unit in households in Greater Vitória, grouped into census tracts classified as sub-normal agglomerates and non-sub-normal agglomerates. The two groups were compared in terms of prevalence and associated factors. The significance level adopted was 5%. Results: The prevalence found in the sub-normal clusters was 12.05% (95%CI 9.59–14.50), and in the non-sub-normal clusters 10.23% (95%CI 7.97–12.50) this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.273). Comparing the sociodemographic characteristics, more people who declare themselves to be of mixed race were found in the sub-normal clusters, a higher percentage of illiterates and people with only elementary education, greater number of residents per household, longer stay in public transportation, sharing a bathroom with another household, fewer bedrooms per residence and higher frequency of irregular water supply when compared to non-sub-normal clusters (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The epidemiological characteristics of sub-normal clusters’ residents show the social inequalities that can hinder control measures in a pandemic situation.

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An interim review of the epidemiological characteristics of 2019 novel coronavirus

Epidemiology and Health ◽

10.4178/epih.e2020006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

pp. e2020006 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

Sukhyun Ryu ◽

Byung Chul Chun

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Public Health Emergency ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

OBJECTIVES: The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, China is currently recognized as a public health emergency of global concern.METHODS: We reviewed the currently available literature to provide up-to-date guidance on control measures to be implemented by public health authorities.RESULTS: Some of the epidemiological characteristics of 2019-nCoV have been identified. However, there remain considerable uncertainties, which should be considered when providing guidance to public health authorities on control measures.CONCLUSIONS: Additional studies incorporating more detailed information from confirmed cases would be valuable.

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Molecular Epidemiology of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Infections in Southwest China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-34601/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaopin Hu ◽

Guohang Yuan ◽

Yaoyao Wu ◽

Weijia Liu ◽

Xiangyan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽

Southwest China ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Control Measures ◽

Invasive Procedures ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Tertiary Hospitals ◽

Resistance Rates ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background: We determined epidemiological characteristics and resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) strains found in Southwest China and assessed disease burden to provide evidence-based strategies for control and treatment of CRKP infection. Methods: A total of 159 strains of CRKP were isolated from sputa, blood, urine, ascites and wound secretions from three tertiary hospitals in Southwest China between August 1st, 2018 and December 31st, 2019. The sensitivity of each strain to 12 antibiotic agents was determined by micro-broth dilution. Identification of carbapenemase genes and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) were performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The disease burdens of patients with CRKP were assessed based on invasive procedures, antibiotic use, laboratory tests and clinical outcomes. Results: Of 159 CRKP strains analyzed, 50.9% were isolated from sputum samples. The percentage of patients who underwent invasive procedures before positive cultures for CRKP were detected was 96.3%. The mortality of blood infection was highest (66.6%) among patients with CRKP infection. All strains were insensitive to carbapenems. The resistance rates to levofloxacin and amikacin were 85.5% and 81.8%, respectively. All CRKP strains produced carbapenemases, with a majority of isolates (81.1%) producing KPC-2. The MICs of strains harbouring both KPC-2 and NDM-1 were higher than those of strains with only KPC-2 or NDM-1. ST11 is the most popular clonotype found in Southwest China. Conclusions: CRKP strains in Southwest China are characterized by strong drug resistance and associated with poor clinical prognoses. It is therefore urgent to both strengthen control measures and improve prevention awareness.

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Transmission dynamics, serial interval and epidemiology of COVID-19 diseases in Hong Kong under different control measures

Wellcome Open Research ◽

10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15896.2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 91

Author(s):

Yung-Wai Desmond Chan ◽

Stefan Flasche ◽

Tin-Long Terence Lam ◽

Mei-Hung Joanna Leung ◽

Miu-Ling Wong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Population Level ◽

Credible Interval ◽

Control Measures ◽

Transmission Dynamics ◽

Local Data ◽

First Case ◽

Serial Interval ◽

Imported Cases ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) started in Wuhan, China in late December 2019, and subsequently became a pandemic. Hong Kong had implemented a series of control measures since January 2020, including enhanced surveillance, isolation and quarantine, border control and social distancing. Hong Kong recorded its first case on 23 January 2020, who was a visitor from Wuhan. We analysed the surveillance data of COVID-19 to understand the transmission dynamics and epidemiology in Hong Kong. Methods: We constructed the epidemic curve of daily COVID-19 incidence from 23 January to 6 April 2020 and estimated the time-varying reproduction number (Rt) with the R package EpiEstim, with serial interval computed from local data. We described the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of reported cases. We computed weekly incidence by age and residential district to understand the spatial and temporal transmission of the disease. Results: COVID-19 disease in Hong Kong was characterised with local cases and clusters detected after two waves of importations, first in late January (week 4 to 6) and the second one in early March (week 9 to 10). The Rt increased to approximately 2 95% credible interval (CI): 0.3-3.3) and approximately 1 (95%CI: 0.2-1.7), respectively, following these importations; it decreased to below 1 afterwards from weeks 11 to 13, which coincided with the implementation, modification and intensification of different control measures. Compared to local cases, imported cases were younger (mean age: 52 years among local cases vs 35 years among imported cases), had a lower proportion of underlying disease (9% vs 5%) and severe outcome (13% vs 5%). Cases were recorded in all districts but the incidence was highest in those in the Hong Kong Island region. Conclusions: Stringent and sustained public health measures at population level could contain the COVID-19 disease at a relatively low level.

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Should we remain hopeful? The key 8 weeks: Spatiotemporal epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 in Sichuan Province and its comparative analysis with other provinces in China and global epidemic trends

10.21203/rs.3.rs-20551/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xinyin Xu ◽

Jing Zeng ◽

Runyou Liu ◽

Yang Liu ◽

Xiaobo Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Stage ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽

Sichuan Province ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Crisis ◽

First Case ◽

Imported Cases ◽

And Control ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 spread worldwide quickly. Exploring the epidemiological characteristics could provide a basis for responding to imported cases abroad and to formulate prevention and control strategies in areas where COVID-19 is still spreading rapidly. Methods: The number of confirmed cases, daily growth, incidence and length of time from the first reported case to the end of the local cases (i.e., non-overseas imported cases) were compared by spatial (geographical) and temporal classification and visualization of the development and changes of the epidemic situation by layers through maps. Results: In the first wave, a total of 539 cases were reported in Sichuan, with an incidence rate of 0.6462/100,000. The closer to Hubei the population centres were, the more pronounced the epidemic was. The peak in Sichuan Province occurred in the second week. Eight weeks after the Wuhan lockdown, the health crisis had eased. The longest epidemic length at the city level in China (except Wuhan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong) was 53 days, with a median of 23 days. Spatial autocorrelation analysis of China showed positive spatial correlation (Moran's Index >0, p<0.05). Most countries outside China began to experience a rapid rise in infection rates 4 weeks after their first case. Some European countries experienced that rise earlier than the USA. The pandemic in Germany, Spain, Italy, and China took 28, 29, 34, and 18 days, respectively, to reach the peak of daily infections, after their daily increase of up to 20 cases. During this time, countries in the African region and Southeast Asian region were at an early stage of infections, those in the Eastern Mediterranean region and region of the Americas were in a rapid growth phase. Conclusions: After the closure of the outbreak city, appropriate isolation and control measures in the next 8 weeks were key to control the outbreak, which reduced the peak value and length of the outbreak. Some countries with improved epidemic situations need to develop a continuous "local strategy at entry checkpoints" to respond to a possible second local epidemic.

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