The Epidemiological Characteristics of an Outbreak of Coronavirus Diseases ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) - Najaf, ۲۰۲۰

Introduction: Coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) pandemic is a global health emergency that continues to spread around the world. COVID-۱۹ is caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-۲ (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ۲). The first confirmed case of COVID۱۹ reported in Iraq was lived in Najaf province on February ۲۴, ۲۰۲۰.Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-۱۹ confirmed cases in Al Najaf Al Ashraf province ۲۰۲۰.Methodology: a cross sectional study was conducted in Al Hakeem Hospital between Feb.۲۴– May ۰۵. ۲۰۲۰. All cases were confirmed by Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The data was collected by direct interview with the patients using the case investigation form. Basic demographics and epidemiologic data gathered from all cases. Data entry and analysis was done by Microsoft Excel software.Result: The total number of cases was۳۰۷, about ۵۹ %(n=۱۸۱) of cases were males (male to female ratio was ۱.۴:۱). Majority of cases ۵۴ %(n=۱۶۶) were at age group ≥ ۳۰ years while ۱۱%(n=۳۴) were at age group under ۱۰ years. More than three quarter of cases (۸۰%, n= ۲۴۵) were contacts to confirmed cases. The incidence rate of COVID-۱۹ was ۲۰/۱۰۰,۰۰۰ and the case fatality rate was ۱.۹۵% while cure rate was ۹۶%. Al Mishkhab and Al Kufa districts were the most affected districts (incidence rate ۳۶ and ۲۷ per ۱۰۰,۰۰۰), respectively. Epi curve showed large peak in weeks (۱۳,۱۴ and ۱۵).Conclusion: We found that COVID-۱۹ was a highly contagious disease with high incidence, high cure rate while low case fatality. We recommend tracking, screening, and isolating those who have come in close contact with patients.

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , epidemiological characteristics , Najaf , Iraq