Descriptive Analysis of the COVID-۱۹ Pandemic During the First and Second Waves in a North-Central State in Nigeria

Introduction: COVID-۱۹ is a novel infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-۲). This study was a descriptive analysis of COVID-۱۹ during the first and second waves in Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria.Methods: This study investigated COVID-۱۹ cases and deaths in Kwara State between ۲nd April ۲۰۲۰ when Kwara State recorded her index case till the ۱۵th of September ۲۰۲۰ (first wave), and between ۱۶th September ۲۰۲۰ till ۱۵th March ۲۰۲۱ (second wave). Case definitions of COVID-۱۹ as obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was used. Data were extracted from the case notes of patients and the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management System, and on-site activities engaged in by the field investigation team were duly captured.Results: Overall, ۳۰۱۵ confirmed cases of COVID-۱۹ have been identified in Kwara State as of ۱۵th March ۲۰۲۱. The median age was ۳۸ years and ranged between ۲۴ days to ۹۷ years. Also, ۱۰۵۶ (۳۵%) were aged ۲۵ – ۳۹ years, ۱۶۹۵ (۵۶.۲%) were males. The case fatality rate was less than ۲%. A total of ۱۰۶۴ (۳۵.۳%) symptomatic COVID-۱۹ cases had been identified as of the reference date, among whom ۶۹۶ (۶۵.۴%) were mild, ۳۰۸ (۲۸.۹%) were moderate, and ۶۰ (۵.۶%) were severe/critical cases.Conclusion: COVID-۱۹ remains a public health problem. A scale-up of COVID-۱۹ surveillance activities should be conducted by the Ministry of Health through active case search and regular refresher training for volunteers. In addition, active community engagement should be prioritized by stakeholders in the national COVID-۱۹ outbreak response.

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , Epidemiology , Pandemics , Nigeria