COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: an epidemiological analysis of 2020-2021.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic proved challenging for the healthcare systems. This study is an analysis of the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the impact of the control measures on the epidemiological trends of the disease. A retrospective study was conducted on COVID-19 cases confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in KSA from March 2020 to December 2021. The numbers of confirmed, recovered, and death cases was analyzed and classified by age, gender, and nationality. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis for the disease trends and some of the control measures were conducted. All statistical analysis was carried out using the IBM SPSS version 26. There were 549,810 confirmed cases from March 2, 2020, to December 1, 2021. The highest number of cases was during the summer months. Men accounted for 70% of all reported cases. 65% of incidents involved people aged 20-50 years. Saudi nationals represented 63% of the total cases. There was a decline in both confirmed and fatality cases in 2021 compared to 2020 (OR = 2.1, p < 0.001; and OR = 2.53, p < 0.001 respectively). Furthermore, the precautionary measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 had a positive effect in reducing disease incidences (correlation 0.75, p < 0.001). The Saudi government has had exceptional success in controlling COVID-19 by expanding screening tests, launching immunization campaigns, and training physicians.