Abstract
The overarching objective of this study was to provide the descriptive epidemiology of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in Qatar by addressing specific research questions through a series of national epidemiologic studies. Sources of data were the centralized and standardized national databases for SARS-CoV-2 infection. By July 10, 2020, 397,577 individuals had been tested for SARS-CoV-2 using polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR), of whom 110,986 were positive, a positivity cumulative rate of 27.9% (95% CI 27.8–28.1%). As of July 5, case severity rate, based on World Health Organization (WHO) severity classification, was 3.4% and case fatality rate was 1.4 per 1,000 persons. Age was by far the strongest predictor of severe, critical, or fatal infection. PCR positivity of nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs in a national community survey (May 6–7) including 1,307 participants was 14.9% (95% CI 11.5–19.0%); 58.5% of those testing positive were asymptomatic. Across 448 ad-hoc testing campaigns in workplaces and residential areas including 26,715 individuals, pooled mean PCR positivity was 15.6% (95% CI 13.7–17.7%). SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence was 24.0% (95% CI 23.3–24.6%) in 32,970 residual clinical blood specimens. Antibody prevalence was only 47.3% (95% CI 46.2–48.5%) in those who had at least one PCR positive result, but 91.3% (95% CI 89.5–92.9%) among those who were PCR positive > 3 weeks before serology testing. Qatar has experienced a large SARS-CoV-2 epidemic that is rapidly declining, apparently due to growing immunity levels in the population.
Highlights
The overarching objective of this study was to provide the descriptive epidemiology of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in Qatar by addressing specific research questions through a series of national epidemiologic studies
We addressed the following research questions: (1) how did SARS-CoV-2 positivity in Qatar evolve over time and what factors were associated with acquiring the infection? (2) What proportion of infections was asymptomatic and what was the extent of infection spread in the population? (3) Were there discernable patterns in PCR positivity across random testing campaigns conducted in different settings? (4) What factors were associated with having detectable antibodies against this infection? (5) What factors were associated with experiencing a severe, critical, or fatal infection? (6) How did the crude case severity rate and crude case fatality rate evolve over the course of the epidemic?
The above specific research questions were addressed through analysis of: (1) the national SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing and hospitalization database, (2) community PCR testing surveys for current infection, (3) surveillance PCR testing campaigns in workplaces and residential areas, (4) serological testing for antibody on blood specimens collected for routine clinical screening/management, (5) national Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) death registry, and (6) SARS-CoV-2 case severity and mortality rates
Summary
The overarching objective of this study was to provide the descriptive epidemiology of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in Qatar by addressing specific research questions through a series of national epidemiologic studies. Following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, Qatar adopted a “testing, tracing, and isolation” approach, as the backbone of the national r esponse[1], implementing a country-wide active contact tracing and testing using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). About 60% of the population consists of CMW, typically working in megadevelopment projects[8] This “labor” population is predominantly young (20–49 years of age), male, and single, living generally in communal shared housing accommodations[9]. We addressed the following research questions: (1) how did SARS-CoV-2 positivity in Qatar evolve over time and what factors were associated with acquiring the infection? We addressed the following research questions: (1) how did SARS-CoV-2 positivity in Qatar evolve over time and what factors were associated with acquiring the infection? (2) What proportion of infections was asymptomatic and what was the extent of infection spread in the population? (3) Were there discernable patterns in PCR positivity across random testing campaigns conducted in different settings? (4) What factors were associated with having detectable antibodies against this infection? (5) What factors were associated with experiencing a severe, critical, or fatal infection? (6) How did the crude case severity rate and crude case fatality rate evolve over the course of the epidemic?
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
