Author(s):
Lemos,Daniele Rocha Queiros ; D’Angelo,Sarah Mendes ; Farias,Luis Arthur Brasil Gadelha ; Almeida,Magda Moura ; Gomes,Ricristhi Gonçalves ; Pinto,Geovana Praça ; Cavalcante Filho,Josafa Nascimento ; Feijão,Levi Ximenes ; Cardoso,Ana Rita Paulo ; Lima,Thaisy Brasil Ricarte ; Linhares,Pâmela Maria Costa ; Mello,Liana Perdigão ; Coelho,Tania Mara ; Cavalcanti,Luciano Pamplona de Góes
Date: 2020
Origin: Oasisbr
Subject(s): COVID-19; Ecological study; Epidemiology; Infectious diseases; Brazil
Description
Abstract INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 emerged in late 2019 and quickly became a serious public health problem worldwide. This study aim to describe the epidemiological course of cases and deaths due to COVID-19 and their impact on hospital bed occupancy rates in the first 45 days of the epidemic in the state of Ceará, Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: The study used an ecological design with data gathered from multiple government and health care sources. Data were analyzed using Epi Info software. RESULTS: The first cases were confirmed on March 15, 2020. After 45 days, 37,268 cases reported in 85.9% of Ceará’s municipalities, with 1,019 deaths. Laboratory test positivity reached 84.8% at the end of April, a period in which more than 700 daily tests were processed. The average age of cases was 67 (<1 - 101) years, most occurred in a hospital environment (91.9%), and 58% required hospitalization in an ICU bed. The average time between the onset of symptoms and death was 18 (1 - 56) days. Patients who died in the hospital had spent an average of six (0 - 40) days hospitalized. Across Ceará, the bed occupancy rate reached 71.3% in the wards and 80.5% in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: The first 45 days of the COVID-19 epidemic in Ceará revealed a large number of cases and deaths, spreading initially among the population with a high socioeconomic status. Despite the efforts by the health services and social isolation measures the health system still collapsed.
