Epidemiological Features of COVID-19 Patients in Terengganu State of Malaysia and the Predictors for SARS-CoV-2 Transmissibility

Abstract

Background: Terengganu state has experienced fifteen COVID-19 communal clusters throughout the year 2020. Knowing the predisposing factors of COVID-19 transmissibility can be helpful in planning the control and preventive measures. This study aimed to describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients in Terengganu state, and to determine the predictors for SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility using RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value as surrogate marker. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Terengganu state including all COVID-19 cases from 1st March 2020 until 31st January 2021 based on retrospective record review. The inclusion criteria were individuals with laboratory RT-PCR confirmed positive test for COVID-19. Descriptive statistics, simple and multiple linear regression analyses were employed for statistical analysis. Result: There were 2,142 COVID-19 cases in Terengganu during the studied period. The mean age of cases was 33 (±17) years. Majority of COVID-19 cases were male (60.6%), adult (70.0%) and from working group (49.2%). 3.9% of cases were healthcare workers. Among the common symptoms were fever (17.2%) and cough (14.0). The mean RT-PCR Ct value was 25.76 (±10.99). Multiple linear regression revealed older age, male gender, having fever and cough as the significant predictors for high SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility with β: -0.06 (95%CI: -0.09,-0.03); p<0.001; β: -3.80 (95%CI: -4.73,-2.86); p<0.001; β: -1.31 (95%CI: -2.54,-0.08); p=0.037; β: -1.86 (95%CI: -3.51,-0.20); p=0.028, respectively. Conclusion: Early detection and isolation of vulnerable cases based on pinpointed risk factors in centralized quarantine station or hospital is recommended to reduce the risk of transmission and to ensure optimal care is given.